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The Governor of Oklahoma has the statutory authority to ban all outdoor burning in designated areas. The Governor's Burning Ban is based on drought, fire occurrence and input from the local community. The process begins with an analysis of drought conditions and discussions with local officials, usually County Commissioners. Once the affected counties agree and the conditions of drought and unusual fire activity are established, then the Director of the Forestry Services makes a recommendation to the Governor that those counties be placed in a Governor's Ban on Burning.
If the Governor agrees, he issues an executive proclamation that has the effect of law. Burning Bans are regulatory, meaning they restrict or remove people's rights. There is a significant penalty for violation of the Governor's Burning Ban. Since these Burning Bans are so restrictive, Forestry Services does not regularly recommend them. However, a series of intense summer droughts starting in 1998 and ending in 2006 has resulted in Burning Bans being issued at some point during each summer. 2007 was the wettest (total precipitation) on record resulting in a year with no Burn Bans. |
BURN BAN
IN EFFECT
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