EDMOND —
Gov. Mary Fallin has added exemptions, including an effort to relieve some of the pressure on the state’s agriculture sector, to the statewide burn ban.
The decision was made in consultation with Oklahoma Forestry Services, a division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, and based on existing wildfire fuel conditions and ongoing drought, the governor’s office stated in a news release.
“I understand the length of this burn ban has made it difficult for some, particularly our agriculture producers,” Fallin said. “Therefore, exemptions are being added to allow for the use of fire under very specific, controlled conditions. Existing exemptions, including those related to grilling, road construction, welding and oilfield operations, will remain in place.”
Under the amended burn ban, the additional two exemptions added are:
• Extreme Hardship: Upon written approval of the state forester, individuals may be approved to conduct controlled burns on their property due to extreme hardship caused by unusual or extenuating circumstances while their county is under the governor’s burn ban. No exemptions will be granted for camp fires, normal burning of brush piles, accumulation of leaves in yards or brush piles in yards, or household trash. Each situation will be evaluated for need and may be granted in those cases in which there are no other alternatives available.
• Agricultural Burning: Upon written approval (using Form AG-2012-01) of their local fire chief, and submitting the completed form to Oklahoma Forestry Services, individuals may conduct controlled burning necessary for agriculture production. The burn must be part of the actual agriculture management operations and conducted within specific minimum guidelines.
“Conditions are being reviewed daily,” said State Forester George Geissler. “Though there have been slight improvements in pockets of the state, the extreme drought conditions persist and any fire that starts has the potential to burn very intensely.”
Most of Oklahoma continues to experience extreme or exceptional drought, the highest levels on the U.S. Drought Monitor drought conditions scale. The latest update was released Aug. 28. All of central Oklahoma is experiencing extreme drought.
More than 103,000 acres burned due to wildfires across the state since Aug. 3, according to information from the Oklahoma Climatological Survey dated Aug. 9.
Fire danger was exacerbated by the drought relief experienced through late winter into early spring. The winter and early spring were unusually wet and warm. The October 2011 through March 2012 period was the 13th wettest and third warmest on record, dating back to 1895, according to the Oklahoma Climatological Survey. In May, Oklahoma concluded its warmest spring in state history.
Recent rains helped localized areas, but more widespread rains are needed to alleviate the worst drought conditions. The statewide average rainfall total for May 1 through Aug. 9 was 5.87 inches, 7.03 inches below normal, was the second-driest such period since 1921, according to data from the Oklahoma Mesonet.
Edmond’s forecast for the current week included a high near 104 for Tuesday, followed by highs in the upper 90s through Friday. It also includes chances for rain in the 20 percent to 40 percent range. Saturday’s high is expected to be near 81, followed by another day in the mid-80s on Sunday.
Similar drought conditions exist in several other states including Kansas and Nebraska. Hurricane Isaac brought drought relief and misery due to flooding, damage and power outages.
For more specifics related to the exemptions and the appropriate forms, visit www.forestry.ok.gov/burn-ban-information or call 580-236-1021.
marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108
Local News
Gov. adds exemptions to statewide burn ban
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President Barack Obama pledged the federal government’s full support for disaster relief in what is being called one of the most devastating tornadoes in history. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has deployed a team to the state.
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Edmond detective describes tornado devastation
Like other Oklahomans, Edmond Police Detective Marion Cain was keeping an eye on the weather Monday.
The storm, which produced the tornado began at 2:45 p.m., about 4.4 miles west of Newcastle and its 20-mile long path went through Newcastle, Moore and south Oklahoma City. About 10 minutes after it formed, it was already causing EF4 damage. Maximum winds of the tornado, upgraded to an EF5, were 200-210 mph, according to information released at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday by the National Weather Service. Its estimated maximum width was 1.3 miles. -
UPDATE: How to donate, find drop-off locations for relief supplies
Below is a listing of where donations may be taken in the Edmond area to help the Moore/Oklahoma tornado victims:
• The Edmond Sun is serving as a drop-off location for the downtown Edmond area. Supplies only may be dropped off at 123 S. Broadway and residents may use the backdoor to enter the building. Parking is available behind the building at the Festival Market Place. From 5-10 p.m. donations may be taken to Café Evoke, 103 S. Broadway.
• Edmond North High School is serving as a drop-off location for bottled water through today
• Memorial High School is serving as a drop-off location for food through today.
• Santa Fe High School is serving as a drop-off location for supplies such as work gloves, tools, etc. through today. -
Edmond high schools aid Moore, OKC tornado victims
Sometimes good things come from texting.
Monday afternoon, Sydney Richardson, who will be Santa Fe’s student body president next year, was driving home and it was raining. Once home, she talked to her mother, who told her about the tornado in Moore. Then she began seeing the damage on TV.
“It was devastating,” Richardson said. “We watched it all night long. I just felt like we needed to do something immediately.” -
City schedules debris collection for May 28
The City of Edmond’s Field Services Division of Public Works will be collecting storm-related debris from the May 19 tornado in accordance with the City of Edmond’s Emergency Operation Plan’s Level Two Response.
Affected areas where debris pick up will occur include in the area beginning one-half mile south of 15th Street to 33rd Street and from Boulevard Avenue east to I-35; and the Territories and Timberlake additions. Please see the map for clarification. Pick up is available for residential homes located within the designated boundaries.
Tree debris must be cut into no more than 6-foot sections and must be placed by the curb of the residence no later than 8 a.m. May 28. Crews will begin collection on Tuesday and continue until they have covered the area. -
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After the horrific tornado set down in Moore Monday afternoon, storm shelter inquiries hit new highs.
Tuesday Ashley Cunningham, office manager for Red Dirt Septic on Waterloo Road in Edmond, and Mark Webb, owner of the Armor Vault Tornado Shelter in Oklahoma City, said their phones have been ringing consistently starting Monday afternoon. -
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Insurers, like other agencies related to the Moore tornado disaster, are assessing the damage.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department has made an emergency declaration, allowing out-of-state adjusters to work storm damaged areas, said agency spokeswoman Calley Herth. It’s too soon to have tabulated damage estimates, Herth said.
“We are working hard to collect any and all numbers, but it’s just too soon at this moment,” she said. -
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