WATONGA – The Blaine County commissioners voted Tuesday to lift the countywide burn ban that had been in place since late December to avoid wildfires during the region’s ongoing drought.
Commissioners Mike Allen, Raymond Scheffler and Brandon Schultz agreed that the recent precipitation had sufficiently lowered the risk of fires for now, but they will continue to monitor the weather and revisit the decision each week.
The lifting of the ban comes as Oklahoma braces for more winter weather this week, with sleet expected in Blaine County on Wednesday and Thursday. As of last week, the entire county is still considered to be experiencing an “exceptional” drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
During the Tuesday meeting, the commissioners also declared two motor graders surplus and agreed to lease two more from Warren CAT through the Stock Exchange Bank.
After hearing reports from the county sheriff, clerk and treasurer, the attendees discussed courthouse safety and the need for standard emergency procedures. Sheriff Travis Daugherty recommended that all county offices make and submit a formal emergency plan so the sheriff’s office will know what to expect during a courthouse emergency.
The commissioners will meet again on Monday, Feb. 28 at 9 a.m.