Counties could be dropped from the statewide burn ban next week

Multilple counties in Oklahoma are expected to be dropped from the state-wide burn ban early next week.

Alex Weintz with Governor Fallin's office tells KRMG that Tulsa County is likely to be one of the counties dropped.

Weintz says the Governor, in consultation with the state forestry department, reevaluates the burn ban daily.

Even if Tulsa County is dropped from the state-wide burn ban, the County-ordered burn ban would remain in effect.

Deputy County Commissioner Michael Willis tells KRMG that the state and county burn bans are virtually identical.

Tulsa County Commissioners vote each Monday to extend or rescind the county-ordered burn ban.

Willis says the commissioners seek the advice of Tulsa County fire chiefs and other emergency management officials before voting each week. Willis says the amount of rainfall the county receives plays a large roll in the weekly burn ban decision.

Both the state and the county burn bans allow for gas, charcoal and wood grilling as long as it is done over an all-weather surface such as concrete, asphalt or gravel.