Detailing State and County Burn Bans

In Officers’ reports, Safety Director and Emergency Management Director, Wayne Cain spoke to the officers about the differences between the Jackson County Burn Ban and the Oklahoma State Burn Ban, issued by Governor Mary Fallin. Cain said that the State Burn Ban will hold people responsible for any fires they start. The state Burn Ban fine for starting a fire is $1,000 and up to a year in prison, or both. The law says “If a fire starts during an outdoor activity, it is an illegal fire and individuals will be held responsible.” For a complete list of permitted outdoor activities, visit: “www.forestry.ok.gov”.

Both County, issued Aug. 1, and State, Aug. 3 Burn Bans forbid campfires and outdoor bonfires. The following are allowed: gas grilling, charcoal grilling, Coleman pressurized stoves. This cooking must be done on a non-flammable surface and must be at least five feet from flammable vegetation. Use extreme caution; have a water supply or fire extinguisher available.

For complete guidelines on storm and land clearing debris, Native American ceremonial fires, fire training, welding, cutting or grinding activities, see “www.forestry.ok.gov”.

Both the bans stress personal responsibility and that extra precautionary measures must be taken in this high fire danger weather.

The Jackson County Commissioners held their regular Monday meeting on August 6 at 10 a.m.

They approved the minutes from last meeting, July 31.

They received reports from the Court Clerk’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, the Treasurer’s Office and the County Clerk’s Office. These were all approved.

There were no blanket purchase orders.

An installation permit was approved for Pioneer Telephone to install fiber optic cable near Duke, which is Cary Carrell’s district. They had to cross a road to put the cable on a cellphone tower, Carrell said. He recommended the approval of the permit.

A Commissioners’ Sale by Jackson County Treasurer Renee Howard on property acquired at resale was approved. This was for 310 N. Hightower, which was an empty lot and brought the county $100.

Supplemental Appropriations for the month of July were approved.

The commissioners approved removing Anna Seifried’s name from the Requisitioning and Receiving Officer for Highway Cash Fund Accounts, General Government Funds, Safety Director, and Emergency Management. Robin Booker will replace her.

Receiving Officers for all Highway Cash Fund Accounts were approved. They are: District 1 - Norman “Chip” Pruitt and Kim Adams, District 2 - Billy Burrow and Elda Roberts, and District 3 - Rex Roberson and Gerald Neely.

In new business, Anna Seifried’s last day in the Commissioner’s Office was Aug. 6. Last day for Glen Hasty for District 1 was July 26.

The claims were approved and the meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m.