Oklahoma Governor Issues Burn Ban

Twenty-four counties, mostly in south<br>central and eastern Oklahoma, are under a modified burn ban today.<br>Gov. Frank Keating signed the ban order Wednesday. It covers<br>campfires, but charcoal grilling

Thursday, September 2nd 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Twenty-four counties, mostly in south
central and eastern Oklahoma, are under a modified burn ban today.
Gov. Frank Keating signed the ban order Wednesday. It covers
campfires, but charcoal grilling will be allowed.
The governor's office said the action was necessary because of
dangerously dry weather conditions caused by a lack of rainfall
this summer.
"Even though charcoal burning is exempt from this ban, the
building of campfires and outdoor burning is strictly prohibited,"
Keating said.
"With the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, it is imperative
that Oklahomans abide by the burn ban and take precautions to have
a safe and enjoyable time," he said.
The prohibition will remain in effect until the Division of
Forestry of the state Department of Agriculture determines that the
fire danger has been significantly reduced, officials said.
The proclamation applies to these counties: Adair, Atoka, Bryan,
Cherokee, Choctaw, Coal, Cotton, Haskell, Jefferson, Johnson,
Latimer, LeFlore, Love, McCurtain, McIntosh, Marshall, Muskogee,
Okmulgee, Pittsburg, Pushmataha, Sequoyah, Tillman, Tulsa and
Wagoner.