Burn Bans In Effect For 33 Counties

The state continues to be under a high fire danger and 33 counties are currently under a burn ban including a good portion of central Oklahoma. Fire officials are reminding the public of the danger and cost should you chose to ignore the ban.

Thursday, March 17th 2011, 6:31 pm

By: News 9


Jon Jordan, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – The state continues to be under a high fire danger and 33 counties are currently under a burn ban including a good portion of central Oklahoma.

Fire officials are reminding the public of the danger and cost should you chose to ignore the ban.

Unless you've got a few hundred dollars you want to throw away, it is strongly recommended not to burn outside during a burn ban even more so on windy days.

Smoke poured from the backyard of a house in northeast Oklahoma City Wednesday afternoon. The fire fortunately did not spread too far, but the fire was started intentionally. People were burning trash in their backyard and the incident ended up costing the homeowner several hundred dollars.

"If the conditions are so bad like they have been the past couple of years, we'll tell you, you can't do it," said Midwest City Fire Marshall Jerry Lojka.

Under state law a person who burns outside without a permit while under a burn ban can be fined locally up to $500 dollars and or spend a year in prison. Should the state chose to take action that fine can increase up to a $1,000.

Now because the fines likely aren't enough to prevent people from burning outside, Lojka said there are easy things homeowners can do to protect themselves.

"Clear the yards back, make sure you get all that debris away from your house, all the under growth right up next to the house. And any overhanging trees and branches, those are all prime examples of how a fire can jump to your home," said the MWC Fire Marshall.

Even if you have a permit to burn outside, certain conditions prohibit any type of burning.

See what counties are under a burn ban and learn more about burn ban laws.

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