April 27, 2022 Issue, Page 8 of 12

Page Text

April 27, 2022 Burn Ban Info What types of burn bans are there? Prepare & Protect ‘There are county-issued burn bans and Governor-proclaimed burn bans. A Governor proclaimed burn ban supersedes county burn bans. Governor burn bans may be issued for groups of counties, or for all counties. What is the criteria used to proclaim a burn ban? There are different criteria for county-issued burn bans and Governor-is- sued burn bans, For links to the data sources click here. County burn ban crite- ria isa subset of those used by OFS to recommenda Governor-proclaimed ban. ainst Fire ‘The intent is to make it easier for county burn bans to be issued and removed (allowing for rapid changes in local conditions). County commissioners determine the need with the advice of the county's fire chiefs. Prior to passage of a burn-ban resolution, the board of county com- missioners must dedlare the existence of extreme fire danger. As defined in law, extreme fire danger means: Severe, extreme, or exceptional drought conditions exist within the coun- —_ ty as determined by the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) No more than one-half inch of precipitation is forecast for the next three days by the National Weather Service Either of the following: Fire occurrence is significantly greater than normal for the season or initial Weather Factors that Impact Wildfires attack on a significant number of wildland fires has been unsuccessful due to extreme fire behavior Where data is available, more than 20 percent of the wildfires in the county have been caused by escaped debris burns or controlled burns. In addition to evaluating county burn ban criteria, OFS uses additional data ‘The majority of wildfires in Oklahoma of weather conditions during any month to 90 percent with an average of 35 per- related to the wildland fuels conditions and predicted fire behavior to deter- occur in late fall, through winter and into mine the need for a Governor-issued burn ban. These criteria are found on the of the year, but the size of the fire is found cent, while fires > 10,000 acres in size had “Bire Weather and Fuel Criteria” page of this website. early spring, which coincides with dor- to be significantly related to relative hu- a range of 8 percent to 39 percent and an are the differences in length and penalties between the two mant vegetation and the time of year the midity, rainfall, and wind speed6. It is in- average relative humidity of 15 percent. types of burn bans? state receives the least amount of precipi- teresting to note that many times temper- Though 100 percent relative humidity was County-issued burn bans are passed by a vote ofthe county commissioners, ‘The resolution can be for up to 14 days in length. Any person convicted of a tation7 (Figure 1). The number of wildfires ature is referenced as an indicator of high rarely recorded for any of the fires, negli- violation of a county-issued burn ban shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and declines during mid-spring when vegeta- wildfire danger, but in this case it was not gible amounts of precipitation sometimes subject toa fine of ot mere than $500, imprisonment for upto one yea of tion begins to green up, with an additional found to be significantly related to wild- occurred the day of the wildfire, but nev- toboth. peak in wildfire activity occurring in July fire size. Relative humidity relates nega- Governor-issued burn bans are proclaimed by a resolution signed by the Governor. Requests for the proclamation are made to the Governor by the and August before again declining into the tively with wildfire size, with minimum er reached an average of more than 0.04 Forestry Services Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and For- fall. Most wildfire activity in the state oc- relative humidity having the strongest inches for any size fire. It should be noted estry through the Secretary of Agriculture. State-issued burn bans remain in curs when fine fuels are dormant and at relationship with wildfire size (Figure 4). that there was no precipitation recorded place until conditions improve (as determined by State Forestry). Any person for fires more than 10,000 acres. Though convicted of a violation of a Governor-issued burn ban shall be guily of a mis- their driest due to lower precipiation?. It was found that the lower the minimum demeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $1000, imprisonment for up This pattern is normally consistent un- relative humidity, the more area burned. variation within and across wildfire size is to one year or to both. less there is some type of extreme weather Wildfires smaller than 1 acre in size oc- high, even a slight amount rainfall on the Who is responsible to enforce burn bans? event, such as a drought. curred under conditions with a minimum day of wildfire has a significant negative Any law enforcement officer in the state may enforce both County-and Governor-issued burn bans. Wildfires can occur under a wide variety relative humidity ranging from 10 percent relationship with fire size Information provided by Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. | Low Rates + Quality Services 20+ Years of Experience Roberta Renae, Automotive, SS a ise 604\H: Van Buren: Elk City 580;374;2960) Photographed L-R: TerryiCollins, Scott Powell, Marcus Roberts, Luke Carpenter, Tyrel French, Matt Baker, Jay Bak- er (Fire Chief), Jennifer Hagerman (MPLX), Sketchley Baker, Alan Daugherty (MPLX), Darron Bond (MPLX), Greg ; Beauchamp (MPLX), Brandon Lathrom, Blain Eagan. Courtesy photo, ‘ MPLXidonates to Volunteer Fire Department MPLX, in partnership with Petroleum, donated $17,060 Department. Marathon Fotin- First" Respofiders as a com- parent company Marathon to the Biitler Volunteer Fire dation grants are available to munity investment focus area ‘of thriving communities. The funds will be used to purchase Electrical safety around water communication equipment and Self-Contained Breathing ‘Apparatus for the Butler Vol- unteer Fire Department, to Marinas, lakes and ponds yy. Do not swim before, during improve safety, efficiency, and Tips for swimmers Have ground fault circuit or after thunderstorms. communication. Never swim near a marina, protection (GFCI and GFPE) Tips for swimming pool dock, or boatyard. owners installed on circuits supplying Obey all “no swimming the boat; use only portable GF- Have a qualified electrician Fires can get signs” on docks. CIs or shore power cords (in- periodically inspect and— out of control Tips for boat owners: cluding “Y” adapters) that bear where necessary—replace or Avoid entering the water the proper listing mark for upgrade the electrical devices quick. Make when launching “or loading marine applications when us- or equipment that keep your {. sure you have your boat. These areas can con- ing electricity near water. Test pool, spa or hot tub electrically tain stray electrical currents GFCls monthly, a plan! safe, Have him/her show you in the water, possibly leading Swimming pools, hot tubs how to turn off all power in to electric shock drowning or and spas case of an emergency. injury from shock, including Summer is the time of year Make sure that any overhead death. to have swimming pool equip- lines maintain the proper dis- Each year, and after a major ment, hot tubs and spas in- tance over a pool and other storm that affects the boat, spected and then properly structures, such as a diving have the boat’s electrical sys- maintained to make sure that tem inspected by a qualified life saving measures such as board. contact If you have any doubts, a qualified electrician marine electrician to be sure ground-fault circuit _inter- or your local utility company it meets the required codes rupter (GFCI) protection and of your area, including the all grounding and bonding sys- to make sure power lines are a American Boat & Yacht Coun- tems are functioning properly. safe distance away. cil. Make the necessary repairs Tips for swimmers If you are putting in a new if recommended. Check with Look out for underwater pool, hot tub or spa be sure the marina owner who can also lights that are not working the wiring is performed by an tell you if the marina’s electri- properly, flicker or work inter- electrician experienced in the cal system has recently been mittently. special safety requirements for inspected to meet the required If tingling occurs, immedi- these types of installations. codes of your area, including ately stop swimming in your Electrical appliances, equip- One of the largest metal the National Electrical Code current direction. Try and ment and cords should be suppliers between (NEC). swim in a direction where you kept at least 6 feet away from OKC and Amarillo Know where your main the water. When possible, use had not felt the tingling, Exit breaker(s) are located on both the water as quickly as possible battery-operated instead of Wrenches, sockets, =e : a the boat and the shore power and avoid using metal ladders cord-connected appliances and source so you can respond or rails. Touching metal may equipment, such as televisions, K&TAir Compressor (Abpea quickly in case of an emergen- increase the risk of shock, radios, and stereos. Accessories, zip ties i Keep your lawn hydrated and and more! maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire. 580-225-6554 918 N. Van Buren Professional Onsite Customer Service Hartley Monuments & Laser, LLC Onsite Cut Dates * Personal Consultations Elk City, OK 73644 580-729-1099 210 N. Main St, Elk City, OK 73644 Quality Product for All Budgets www.janningwelding.com