WATONGA — With warm temperatures, high winds and dry weather persisting through the Christmas holiday, the Blaine County commissioners voted on Monday to enact a countywide outdoor burn ban for one week until Monday, Dec. 27.
The ban will reappear on the commissioners’ agenda that day, and they will decide whether to end or extend it.
The approved burn ban resolution warns of “extreme fire danger” and states it is “unlawful for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, range, crop or other wild lands, or to build a campfire on bonfire, or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass, range, crop or other wild lands fire.”
Exceptions exist for equipment used in road-construction projects and certain kinds of grills, like charcoal and natural gas grills. Welding, cutting torch and grinding activities are also permitted “when conducted over a non-combustible surface” at least 10x10 ft., wind speeds are under 20 mph and a fire watcher is posted on site.
Use of fireworks is also prohibited during the ban. Fireworks are not commonly used at Christmas but are a popular New Year’s celebration and could be impacted by any extension of the ban.
Violations of the burn ban are punishable by a fine of up to $500 or up to one year in prison. It is enforceable by “any law enforcement officer of this State,” including the sheriff’s office and local police departments.
The forecast holds few favors to area firefighters. Highs will oscillate between the 60s and 70s for the next several days, with no precipitation in the forecast, according to the National Weather Service.
The Christmas Day forecast calls for a high of 67 and mostly sunny skies.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of Blaine County is currently experiencing a “moderate drought.” But the far western portion of Blaine County, including Canton and Longdale, is in “severe drought.”
The weather has already spurred several grass fires in the area, with 550 acres burned near Geary before Thanksgiving and a fire near Weatherford earlier this month.