By Fox23.com News Staff
TULSA COUNTY, Okla. — The Tulsa County Board of Commissioners has declared an immediate burn ban across Tulsa County due to extreme fire danger in the region.
The decision was made due to severe drought conditions in the area, especially as the National Weather Service indicates limited rainfall in the forecast.
Fire departments across the county are also reporting raised fire activity, stating more than 20% of recent fires were caused by escaped or controlled burns.
The immediate burn ban will remain in effect for up to 12 days and prohibits all outdoor burning, which includes trash burning, campfires and bonfires.
The exceptions to the burn ban are gas or electric grills used over non-flammable surfaces and industrial welding over non-flammable surfaces.
Breaking the burn ban is considered a misdemeanor and can result in up to a $500 fine, up to a year in jail or both.
According to Tulsa County, a majority of the fire chiefs in the county supported the burn ban to help limit the risk of dangerous wildfires in the area.
The burn ban could be lifted early or extended, depending on how conditions evolve in the following days.
