After a couple of large grassland fires last week, the Woods County commissioners instituted a two-week burn ban Monday. The burn ban continuance possibility will be placed on the agenda each week.

Previously, the commissioners had not implemented a burn ban because no fire chief in the county had asked for one. That is usually the starting point in voting a burn ban. One of the commissioners, Randy McMurphy, commented, “I've been reluctant to do this because I'm not sure we've ever stopped a fire.”

The state parks in the county will be responsible for determining if they want to permit campfires within their borders.

The ban reads, “It is unlawful for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, range, crop or other wild lands, or to build a campfire or bonfire, or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass, range, crop or other wildlands fire.”

The following exceptions to the burn ban were included:

• Welding/cutting, torch/grinding activities when conducted over a non-combustible surface of at least 10 feet by 10 feet, when wind speeds are less than 10 mph, and a fire watch, other than the welder, is posted at the welding site with pressurized water or fire extinguisher.

• Outdoor cooking with LPG or natural gas grills provided the activity is conducted over a non-flammable surface and at least 5 feet from flammable vegetation.

• Fireworks displays that are a recurring yearly scheduled event.

• Agricultural burning is permitted if the Oklahoma Forestry Service guidelines are followed.

The penalty for violating the burn ban is not more than a $500 fine and not more than one year in jail.