Wagoner County Deputies: No Warnings For Burn Ban Violators

Because of the potential for wildfires, law enforcement officers in many areas are stepping up enforcement of burn bans.

In Wagoner County, deputies say they won't be issuing any warnings.

Wagoner County Deputy Stephen Anderson spends a lot of time in his patrol car, covering a lot of miles, so he sees how dangerously dry the conditions are right now.

"That grass is really dry," said Deputy Stephen Anderson.

Anderson can also easily see the potential for dangerous wildfires. "With that wind blowing, it's tough. That's what makes it so dangerous and it can happen so quickly," he said.

On the same day a fire destroyed three houses in Tullahassee, Wagoner County Commissioners issued a countywide burn ban.

2/18/2014: Related Story: Grass Fire Burns Three Wagoner County Homes

While the sheriff's office thinks the fire started from sparks from a train, far too many fires can be prevented. So deputies will be out patrolling to enforce the burn ban.

"We'll patrol these lake regions more heavily, because out here in the county, a lot more people burn their trash," said Deputy Anderson.

During Wagoner County's week long burn ban, deputies will enforce a no tolerance policy on burn ban violators.

"Somebody catches you burning your trash, if you get caught throwing a cigarette out a window, you're going to get cited for it," Anderson warned.

What you should know about burn bans

In addition to watching for violators, who could be fined 500 dollars and spend a year in jail, deputies will also be on the lookout for smoke, so firefighters can be dispatched quickly.

"If we see it, we'll definitely call it in and make sure we get the right personnel out here to handle the job," Anderson said.