Drought Conditions Prompt Burn Bans In Eastern Oklahoma

NewsOn6.com

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA -- Two eastern Oklahoma counties are now under burn bans. 

Cherokee County commissioners approved a burn ban for their county Thursday morning. 

Latimer County officials approved a burn ban for their county on Monday. 

Under a burn ban, it is unlawful for any person to set a grass or wildfire, building a campfire or burn trash. 

Anyone convicted could face a fine of up to $500 and not more than one year in the county jail. 

Officials in both counties say drought conditions exist because of the lack of rainfall across much of eastern and southeastern Oklahoma. 

The Oklahoma Forestry Service also keeps a web page with the latest burn ban information.

State officials say several counties in northwest and southwest Oklahoma are also looking at implementing burn bans.