Cotton County commissioners approved a burn-ban resolution Monday, and Comanche County Emergency Management Director Clint Langford noted that the burn ban imposed last Monday still remains in effect this week.
“The climate of Oklahoma and Cotton County is conducive to the development of dry and hazardous burning conditions,” the resolution states. “It is essential that actions be taken to protect the lives and property of the citizens” of the county.
The resolution decrees that it is “unlawful” for any person “set fire to any forest, grass, range, crop or other wildlands, or to build a campfire or bonfire, or to burn trash, rubbish or other material that may cause” a fire.
Also, “ignition of fireworks, both private and public displays, are prohibited for the duration of this burn ban.”
Anyone convicted of violating the resolution will be guilty of a misdemeanor offense, the penalty for which could be a fine of up to $500 and/or a jail sentence of up to one year.
The Cotton County burn ban will be in effect for 14 days, “with the possibility of extension on a week-to-week basis to be determined at the Commissioners’ meeting.”