Firefighters are working to extinguish several grass fires in Oklahoma.

KINGFISHER:

1. OHP: Closures: Reeding Road (aka N2940) and OK 74F //Near Kingfisher-Logan County
2. Southeastern part of the province
3. NWS at 3:25 p.m.: Evacuation order for Twin Lakes residents. A dangerous wildfire was located 3 miles north of Cashion and was moving quickly north at 2 to 3 miles per hour. Evacuate to the gas station at highways 33 and 74.
4. There are multiple Logan County Sheriff Deputies in Twin Lakes evacuating residents
5. This fire burned down 4 houses and several barns.

SE PAYNE COUNTY, CUSHING

The scene takes place in southeastern Payne Co., near Cushing and the Lincoln Co. line.

According to OHP, OK-33 between Reeding Road (N2940) and OK-74F (Kingfisher-Logan County Line) is now open from 6 p.m.

All lanes of eastbound and westbound SH-33 between SH-18 and SH-99 in Cushing, Payne Co., are now open.

Evacuation immediately REQUESTED BY CUSHING EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Broadcast by National Weather Service Norman OK: 2:32 PM CDT Tuesday, October 29, 2024

The National Weather Service in Norman issued a notice at the request of the Cushing Emergency Manager for southeastern Payne County.

Evacuate areas east of Cushing immediately due to wildfire.

A large wildfire is threatening areas from the intersection of highways 33 and 99 east of Cushing north to southeast of Yale. Residents in this area should leave immediately and travel east or west. Don’t drive on smoke!

Crescent FD lost one of its command vehicles in the fire. Everyone is outside and safe.

EDMOND

Edmond Fire confirms they are working to extinguish a grass fire near Interstate 35 and Covell Road.

Authorities are closing Sooner Road near Coffee Creek to prevent motorists from driving south into the fire zone.

St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Edmond (900 N. Sooner Road) is open and available to any residents who have been evacuated due to the grass fires here and need a place to shelter until the fires are under control. It is a temporary home for these residents.

This fire is under control.

LINCOLN COUNTY

The Lincoln Co. Fire Department is asking for help from eastern Oklahoma fire departments, like Harrah, to help them with a large fire station off County Road 980.

The National Weather Service in Norman has issued a fire warning for western Lincoln County at the request of Lincoln County Emergency Management.

* AT 3:58 PM CDT, a dangerous wildfire occurred 4 miles south of Wellston… near Highway 102, moving quickly north.

* Evacuation area… Areas along and near Sunset Drive, Summer Tree Lane and up to County Road 970… these areas should be evacuated.

*Additional information…Avoid Highway 102. Do not drive in smoking areas.

Wellston Senior Center opens its doors to all evacuees in need.

This is a development story. Refresh this page for updates.

BURNING PROHIBITED

The fire threat for northeastern Oklahoma is high early in the week as drought conditions worsen and wind gusts exceed 40 miles per hour.

A burn ban is in effect for 44 counties, including Kingfisher, Logan and Grady County. Visit the Oklahoma Forestry Services website for more information.

Assistant fire marshals are enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for open burns during the burn ban. Violations may result in a fine of up to $1,200 and/or six months in prison.

Outdoor burning – including controlled burns, bonfires, fire pits and garden fireplaces – is prohibited under the burning ban. Grilling and welding on a non-flammable surface is permitted.

In SW Oklahoma, a wildfire is burning Monday in parts of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, where officials estimate more than 30,000 acres are burning and the fire is less than half contained.

Fortunately, there is relief in the forecast with several chances of rain and showers this week, starting on Wednesday.

Which counties are subject to a burn ban in Oklahoma? (October 28, 2024)

1. Ottawa
2. Delaware
3. Mayes
4. Nowata
5. Rogers
6. Washington
7. Wagoner
8. Cherokee
9. Adair
10. Tulsa
11. Creek
12. Payne
13. Logan
14. Noble
15. Kay
16. Scholarship
17. Logan
18. Kingfisher
19. McIntosh
20. Haskell
21. LeFlore
22. McCurtain
23. Pushmataha
24. Choctaw
25. Hughes
26. Coal
27. Atoka
28. Bryan
29. Pontotoc
30. Garvin
31. Carter
32. Marshall
33. Love
34. Stephen
35. Jefferson
36. Grady
37. Caddo
38. Cotton
39. Kiowa
40. Tillman
41. Kiowa
42. Greer
43. Jackson
44. Harmon

Overview of the fire ban

Burn bans in Oklahoma, imposed by state law, prohibit all outdoor burning activities to limit the risk of wildfires. According to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, bans are determined by short- and long-term weather forecasts, wildlife fuel conditions, current fire behavior and recent fire events.

Notification Process for County Commissioners

County Commissioners in Oklahoma must follow specific steps to implement a burn ban. If they adopt a burn ban resolution, they must notify the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division via email at [email protected]. The department will not accept fax copies and resolutions received before 4:00 PM will be posted on the Oklahoma Forestry Services website the same day. Resolutions sent after this time will be posted the next day. In addition, county officials must inform local news media, law enforcement agencies and relevant state departments, including the Department of Public Safety, the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Duration of burn bans issued by the province

According to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, a burn ban issued by County Commissioners is in effect for a maximum of 14 days from the date of passage. If serious fire risks remain, subsequent resolutions may be passed and the same reporting procedures should be followed. A burning ban can also be revoked through a similar process.

Types of burn bans

Oklahoma allows two types of burn bans: county-issued and governor-issued. Under state guidelines, a governor-issued burn ban replaces county-issued bans and could cover multiple counties or the entire state.

Criteria for issuing a burn ban

For county-issued bans, county commissioners work with local fire chiefs to determine necessity. According to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, a county burn ban is warranted if extreme fire danger exists, as defined by conditions such as severe or extreme drought, limited precipitation forecasts or large wildfires. Where available, data also indicate whether a significant percentage of local wildfires were caused by escaped debris or controlled burns.

Governor-issued burn bans, which cover larger regions, are recommended by the Oklahoma Forestry Services based on extensive data on fuel conditions and wildland fire behavior, which goes beyond the criteria used for county-level bans.

Enforcement and punishment

Burn bans issued by the province carry fines of up to $500, up to a year in jail, or both for those convicted of violations. These resolutions are adopted by a vote of the county commissioners. Governor-issued burning bans, approved by the Governor based on recommendations from Forestry Services, may remain in effect until conditions improve. Violations of burn bans issued by the governor are punishable by fines up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry states that law enforcement officers statewide are responsible for enforcing both types of burn bans