County passes burn ban

County Commissioners today passed a resolution creating a burn ban effective immediately for a period of seven days. Next Monday Commissioners will consider an extension during the scheduled Tulsa Board of County Commissioners meeting. The resolution prohibits outdoor burning in the county including controlled burns and bonfires - effective immediately. Emergency management officials surveyed area fire departments during the last several days. Those results, when combined with the latest weather forecast determined that conditions were appropriate for a burn ban according to the guidelines for extreme fire dangers established by state law.

This burn ban allows exceptions for outdoor grilling with electric or gas grills with the stipulation that all outdoor grilling must be done over gravel, concrete, or another non-flammable surface.  In addition, all operating grills should be attended by an adult who has direct access to a water source.

As Tulsa County Commissioners meet to assess the need for an extended burn ban on March 3, considerations will focus on significant rainfall or not within the area.  With rain, the ban is expected to be lifted. Until rain occurs; area residents are urged to keep the risk of fire and the damage it can cause in the forefront of their mind.

Again, by the standards set by state law - there is a public danger of extreme fire at this time.