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July 31, 2012

Grady County under burn ban for next 30 days

Jessica Lane, Staff Writer, jlane@chickashanews.com Slate.com

As a result of continuing high temperatures and drought conditions, a burn ban is in effect for Grady County for the next thirty days.

According to a resolution signed by the Grady County Commissioners on July 30, “fire may not be set to any forest, grass, range, crop or other wild lands, campfire or bonfire, or to burn trash, storm related debris or other material that may cause a forest, grass, range, crop or other wild lands fire.”

The resolution gives certain exceptions, to be taken with appropriate precautionary measures. Individuals are responsible for their actions and the results of those actions and reasonable caution, with respect to the existing fire danger, must be utilized.

Equipment that uses propane and other controlled-type burners is considered safe, however, the resolution suggests having a water pumper on standby when this equipment is used near a grassy right-of-way.

In addition, the resolution says that operators also must use precaution during the burn ban, or they risk being held liable for damages caused by fire and the cost of extinguishing such fire. Outdoor welding and cutting torch activities may continue under a noncombustible surface of at least 10 x 10 feet and with welding blankets and screens in place to cover flammable vegetation. Wind speeds must be less than 20 mph and a fire watcher other than the welder must be on site with a pressurized water or fire extinguisher during the activity.

While outdoor campfires and bonfires are prohibited, LPG and natural gas grills cooking outside in a grilling receptacle are permitted provided that the activity is conducted over a nonflammable surface at least five feat from flammable vegetation. The resolution also states that no charcoal or wood smoking and/or grilling is allowed.

Public fireworks displays are approved with prior approval of local fire departments and only by licensed fireworks professionals in designated areas.  No individual use of fireworks is permitted during the burn ban.

Native American ceremonial fires conducted in sweat lodges or over non-flammable surfaces of at least 10 x 10 are exempt from the ban.

The resolution states that any person convicted of violating the resolution shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine not more than $500, imprisonment for not more than one year, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

The burn ban may be lifted at any time or continue based on persistence of fire danger conditions.

In other business:

The contract for Pitney Bowes and AT&T Mobile with the health department was approved.

No action was taken for solicitation of engineers for JP 29343(04) and JP 26856(04).

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