Cleveland County Commissioners Revise Burn Ban

Gan Matthews, News 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Cleveland County Commissioners revisited the county's burn ban on Friday, just before the start of holiday weekend. Commissioners learned that there is no ordinance barring discharge of fireworks in the unincorporated areas.

But even though setting off the fireworks is okay outside of the city, commissioners said if someone causes a fire due to fireworks, that person can be held liable--criminally as well as civilly.

The private discharge of fireworks is still banned in the city of Norman, even though a new state law allows the sale of fireworks in city retail stores.

Commissioners also decided to allow outdoor welding. However, you must get a permit from the city or county, depending on where you plan to work.

The burn ban in Cleveland County was imposed last Monday. Already, the Norman Fire Department has cited one man for violating it.

The Commissioners modified the earlier ban to allow outdoor charcoal grilling since many people will be at lakes and outdoor barbeques over the Fourth of July weekend.