Texas County commissioners lift burn ban after recent rain, fire review

Texas County landowners can resume limited outdoor burning after commissioners lifted the county burn ban Monday, but the relief is partial. Recent rain helped enough to loosen restrictions, yet officials said dry grassland conditions still leave parts of the county vulnerable to another fast-moving fire.

The Texas County Board of County Commissioners voted June 8 during its Monday morning meeting after reviewing input from area fire chiefs, forecast weather patterns and recent fire activity. Guymon Fire Chief Grant Wadley said the county has picked up rainfall over the past 10 days and seen some greening in vegetation, but warned that rain-starved areas of Texas County remain a fire concern.

The decision means controlled burns such as brush piles, trash bins, trash barrels and trash pits can proceed if people follow the rules and keep a close eye on the weather. Burns must still be called in to the Texas County 911 Center, with the caller’s name, location, what is being burned and a return phone number. Wadley also cautioned residents to watch wind direction, speed and gusts before lighting anything, a reminder that a quiet morning can turn risky quickly in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

County officials are working from the same fire standards set statewide: burn bans are based on predicted weather, long-term forecasts, wildland fuel conditions, current fire behavior and recent fire occurrences. Oklahoma guidance limits a county burn ban to 14 days unless it is rescinded or renewed, which is why Texas County commissioners revisit the issue every seven days. If extreme fire danger returns, the county can put restrictions back in place fast.

That caution is rooted in what Texas County has already lived through this year. Commissioners renewed the burn ban March 30 after declaring that “extreme fire danger exists in Texas County.” The resolution barred burning of forest, grass, range, crop and other wildlands, while allowing limited exceptions for some road-construction equipment, welding, cutting and grinding under strict safeguards, and certain grilling activities. Violations could be treated as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or up to one year in jail.

The county’s February fire outbreak showed how quickly conditions can worsen. On Feb. 17, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management activated the State Emergency Operations Center because of high fire danger, wildfires and high winds. FEMA approved Fire Management Assistance Grants for the Stevens Fire in Texas County, the Ranger Road Fire in Beaver County and the 43 Fire in Woodward County, covering 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. In northeastern Texas County near Tyrone, a wildfire was reported moving 3 to 5 mph, and another fire near Hooker added to the strain on local crews.