Emergency management to Washington County commissioners: No burn ban, yet

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - No burn ban has yet been issued for Washington County.

During the Monday morning meeting of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Linda Herndon asked Washington County Emergency Management Director Kary Cox if conditions yet existed to issue a burn ban.

“No, not yet,” he answered.

Last week, Cox explained to 2NEWS that according to state law, four conditions in the county must be met in order for commissioners to declare the existence of extreme fire danger and then a burn-ban resolution.

Then, and as of Monday morning, according to Cox, the county only has met two of those conditions.

He explained last week that though no ban has been issued, the current dryness and heat make for an increased fire risk.

Thursday evening, a reported 300 to 400 acres burned between Oglesby — just south and east of Bartlesville — and U.S. Highway 75 after lightning strikes ignited area fields.

It took five fire companies nearly two hours to bring the blaze under control.

While the blaze resulted in no reported injuries or damage to structures, an estimated 300 to 400 hay bales were lost.