McALESTER — A burn ban is now in effect for Pittsburg County and will continue to be in effect for seven days, according to a resolution signed Monday by the Pittsburg County Commissioners during their regular meeting at the Pittsburg County Courthouse.
“There is a high fire danger right now and with the wind, the danger increases,” said Trent Myers Director of Pittsburg County Emergency Management.
He said since the time the ban was lifted, there have been several grass fires.
“The ban has been off for seven days, Myers said. “But believe me we’ve been making up for it.”
The burn ban will in place for seven days ending October 1, at 9 a.m.
According to the resolution, during the ban it is unlawful of any person to set fire to any forest, grass, range, crop or other wildlands or to build a campfire or bonfire or to burn trash or other material that my cause a forest, grass, range, crop or other wild lands fire.
The resolution also states offenders can arrested and fined for violating the ban.
Also according to the resolution, any law enforcement officer of the State of Oklahoma may carry out the enforcement and any person convicted of violating this resolution is guilty of a misdemeanor and can be fined up to $500.
Attending Monday’s meeting was District 3 Commissioner Ronnie Young, District 1 Commission Chairman Gene Rogers and District 2 Commissioner Kevin Smith.
Pittsburg County commissioners meet Mondays at 9 a.m. in the commissioners conference room at the Pittsburg County Courthouse. The meetings are open to the public.
For more on this story, see the print or electronic editions of the McAlester News-Capital. Click here for print edition home delivery or click here to see the Smart Edition for your computer, tablet, e-reader or smartphone. Contact Jeanne LeFlore at jleflore@mcalesternews.com.
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Robert Pattinson Moves Out
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
Oklahoma tornado survivor: "Everything is gone"
Khloe Lashes Out at Kim Kardashian's Critics
Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window
RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song
Justin Bieber Gets Booed
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos
Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction
Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom
Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Celebs Celebrate the Rise of the Side Butt
Grizzly bear gets up close and personal with camera
Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
