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Texas County board enacts 14-day burn ban as heat and wind raise fire risk
Summary
After fire chiefs reported triple‑digit temperatures and sustained winds, the Board of Texas County Commissioners adopted Resolution #1-26-27 declaring an immediate burn ban effective up to 14 days and establishing safety exceptions for certain equipment and welding.
The Board of Texas County Commissioners voted July 6 to adopt County Commissioner Burn Ban Resolution #1-26-27, declaring that “extreme fire danger exists in Texas County” and making open burning on wild lands unlawful for a period not to exceed 14 days.
Guymon Fire Chief Grant Wadley told the board that temperatures were expected to be above 100°F for the week, with winds over 20 mph and low moisture, and that area fire chiefs supported reinstating the ban. The resolution text requires that equipment-related work be prudent (propane or controlled burners recommended to have a water pumper on standby), sets wind and fire-watch conditions for welding and cutting jobs, permits LPG and natural-gas grilling only over nonflammable surfaces, and prescribes penalties of up to $500 fine and/or up to one year in jail for violations.
The board adopted the resolution under the authority cited in the minutes as “Section 16-26. B of Title 2 of the Oklahoma Statutes.” Commissioner Levi Bickford moved to approve the resolution; Commissioner Dolan Sledge seconded the motion. The vote was recorded as Sledge, Bickford and Chairman Darrell Edwards—aye; none opposed.
The resolution takes effect immediately and may be rescinded by the board if conditions improve or extended by additional resolutions if extreme fire danger persists.
