Across Oklahoma recent burn bans have been issued regularly while conditions meet specific thresholds. Local fire chiefs say residents should consider the consequences before lighting any outdoor fire with or without a burn ban in effect.
Burn ban restrictions are designed to reduce the risk of wildfires during periods of heightened danger. Local fire officials say decisions to implement burn bans are typically based on a combination of drought conditions, recent rainfall totals, and the level of fire activity in the area. When those factors align outdoor burning may be temporarily prohibited in order to protect property, natural resources, and emergency personnel.
Drumright Fire Chief Brett Lunsford said before a ban is recommended, emergency management officials often consult with fire departments throughout the county to get input from those who are actively responding to fires and monitoring conditions on the ground.
“The way our county does this is pretty cool because the emergency managers reach out to chiefs and ask our opinion,” Lunsford said of Creek and Payne County.
Some fire chiefs say the safest option during severe fire conditions is simply not to burn at all. Even days that appear calm can present significant wildfire risk when vegetation is dry and humidity levels are low.
Olive Fire Chief Jason Dobson said recent weather patterns have created extremely dangerous conditions for wildfire spread. Dobson noted that residents can find detailed guidance on safe burning practices through the Oklahoma Forestry Service as well as local fire department websites.
“Even if we have nice days with low wind, the fire danger conditions are so severe,” he said.
He added that residents can also take a simple step by contacting their fire department before lighting a burn.
Activities that many people consider routine — such as outdoor grilling — can present fire risks when vegetation becomes extremely dry. Fire chiefs say dormant grass and accumulated plant growth can ignite quickly if sparks or embers come into contact with them.
Brett Whitten said the combination of seasonal vegetation growth and limited rainfall has created ideal conditions for fires to spread rapidly. Once a fire starts in open grassland areas, wind can quickly push flames across large distances in a short amount of time.
“All the growth we had in spring and summer and the vegetation now being dormant and the lack of rain, it is just a tinder box waiting for a spark,” Whitten said. “When it’s in those grasslands with 15-mile winds it can travel so quickly.'
Even when a burn ban is not in effect, fire officials stress that residents should always check with their local fire department before conducting any type of outdoor burn. Fire departments closely monitor daily weather conditions and fire behavior and can help residents determine whether it is safe to burn on a given day.
Terlton’s North 48 Fire Chief Keith Buntin said notifying the department before burning can also prevent unnecessary emergency responses. Without advance notice, smoke from a controlled burn can easily be mistaken for a wildfire by neighbors or passing motorists who call 911.
“The best way to know if it’s a safe day to burn is to contact your local fire department,” Buntin said.
According to him, departments frequently respond to what firefighters refer to as “good intent” calls — controlled burns that were never reported ahead of time.
“We respond to multiple ‘good intent’ calls throughout the year due to people not calling in their burns,” he said. “So we not only waste fuel, which is one of the biggest expenses on a department, but also we are putting our firefighters in more unneeded danger by rushing to a controlled burn.”
When residents call ahead, Buntin said fire departments evaluate several environmental factors before determining whether conditions are safe enough for burning including wind speed and direction, humidity percentage, temperature, drought conditions, and burn ban status.
Within city limits, residents may also be required to obtain a burn permit before starting a fire in certain areas. These permits allow fire departments to inspect burn piles and ensure they meet safety guidelines designed to prevent fires from spreading.
Cushing Fire Chief Dalton Novotny said the City of Cushing operates a burn permit program intended to help residents burn safely while still allowing the department to monitor conditions.
“Within city limits, we operate a burn permit program,” Novotny said. “If you would like to burn within city limits, please call the fire station and we will have someone come inspect your burn pile.”
The permit process follows state environmental guidelines for outdoor burning and provides residents with additional information on how to burn safely.
“There are rules that must be followed when conducting outdoor burning, which align with Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality outdoor burning guidelines available on their website,” Novotny said.
Novotny added that even residents outside city limits can still contact the department for guidance before conducting a burn.
Whitten also reminded residents that individuals who start fires can be held responsible for damages if the fire spreads beyond their control.
“If they don’t burn responsibly then they can be held responsible for anything that is damaged by it,” he said.
Fire officials encourage residents to stay aware of local burn bans, monitor weather conditions and contact their local fire department before conducting any outdoor burning. Taking those precautions, they say, can help prevent small fires from becoming dangerous wildfires.