Calls Coming In Regarding Burn Bans - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather & Sports

Firefighters are being pushed to the limits this afternoon. They're chasing one grassfire after another where the flames first popped up earlier this week and now burn bans are following.

Dry conditions and lack of rain have made it dry all around. Creek county recognizes that danger and is one of the first counties to issue a burn ban. We knew it happen it was just a matter of time.This fire happened in Osage County on Wednesday, but Creek County knows... fires ignore boundaries. Creek was among the first to issue a burn ban in Northeast Oklahoma.

"People don't realize when it's a burn ban, grass will burn and it will burn easy."

It's why Fire chief Dannie Whitehouse pushes prevention. A burn ban begins when county emergency directors poll fire chiefs.

"And when they polls us, they've got a series of questions they ask us and if we answer yes to em, they recommend to the county commissioners that they institute a burn ban."

The message then goes out to the public and Law enforcement is responsible for making sure residents abide by the burn ban.

"You can't burn the trash, you can't burn off your fields at this time, you're going to have to wait until the burn ban is lifted," says Creek County Sgt. Allen Harwood.

No outdoor campfires, or bonfires and outdoor welding is only allowed under certain conditions.

"We will enforce anyone that is burning which includes fireworks, charcoaling anything that includes or might produce a spark that could catch the grass on fire."

So burn bans are in place to help minimize losses...sometimes to the firefighters themselves who have to endure the extreme heat.

"If I ever let these guys get pushed over that line, not only can it put em out of commission for a while, you can potentially end a guys career that way."

If a deputy writes you a citation it's 500 dollars. Should the governor also issue a burn ban that cost jumps to 1-thousand dollars.