County officials issue burn ban

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Duncan firefighters Alex Burrows and Chase Hansen check equipment Monday at the Duncan Fire Department. Derrick Miller/The Duncan Banner

July 31, 2012

County officials issue burn ban

Anonymous The Duncan Banner The Duncan Banner Tue Jul 31, 2012, 12:43 PM CDT

DUNCAN — Threat of wildfire danger prompted the Board of Stephens County Commissioners to set a 30-day burn ban for the county.

During Monday’s regular meeting, the commissioners declared a burn ban — the first for this year. Last year, the county remained in a burn ban for much of the summer, until the area started receiving significant rainfall in September.

Prior to the action, commissioners called all the fire departments in the county to get feedback from the departments on whether they believed there would be a need for a burn ban. Dee Bowen, District 3 commissioner, said all the departments were in agreement with the decision.

The burn ban resolution, approved by the commissioners, makes it unlawful for anyone to set a fire, to build a campfire or bonfire, or to burn trash and other materials. If someone goes against the resolution, they face up to a fire of not more than $500 to imprisonment for not more than one year or both.

Stephens County Sheriff’s Office also made a public statement via its Facebook page that anyone in violation of this burn ban would face penalties.

While the burn ban is set for 30 days, that doesn’t mean it will stay active. If the commissioners decide to remove it, they have that authority. But there will have to be a large volume of precipitation received before the commissioners will call it off.

“It’s high fire danger,” Darrell Sparks, District 1 commissioner, said.

For the month of July, Duncan has had a recorded rainfall of 0.32 inches. Even though that bests July 2011’s rainfall, or lack thereof, no rain has been received since July 11.

The commissioners are concerned about the impact the dry spell and high temperatures could do to the area. On Thursday, several fire departments in Stephens County responded to a mutual aid call in Indiahoma, which destroyed nearly 10,000 acres. That meant sending the county fire task force to assist, with Marlow sending several units.

“We’ve been very fortunate not to have many fires, very fortunate,” Bowen said.

To maintain the county’s good fortunate of avoiding another inferno like the county saw March 1, 2006, the commissioners said it would take everyone working together to reduce the fire danger by adhering to the burn ban.

Todd Churchman, District 2 commissioner and board chairman, said the county would also start taking action to help reduce the risk of accidentally starting a fire. Churchman said the county will cease mowing operations to avoid causing sparks when a mower blade hits a rock.

Bowen wasn’t sure how long the burn ban is going to be in place. But if it’s not removed by the end of the month, the commissioners will review it at that time.

“They’re not talking about rain anytime soon,” Bowen said.

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