The city of Norman announced a burn ban in effect for Cleveland County through March 3 in a Wednesday press release.
“With current conditions, this burn ban is absolutely necessary to help protect life and property,” Norman’s Deputy Fire Chief Joel Chesser said in the release. “We encourage the public to take measures of preparedness now and remain situationally aware during this time.”
The ban follows the state of emergency declared by Gov. Kevin Stitt Tuesday due to multiple destructive wildfires across the state.
Many of the evacuations due to wildfires are happening in the northwest part of the state. According to the executive order, the counties most affected by the wildfires are Beaver, Texas and Woodward.
AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham told The Oklahoman that America does not have a singular wildfire season anymore.
"If vegetation dries out and winds are strong, fires can ignite and spread rapidly regardless of the month on the calendar,” Buckingham said.
The city of Norman and Cleveland County urged residents to be cautious under the burn ban guidelines to prevent the further spread of wildfires across the state.
Under the ban:
• All fires, campfires, bonfires and the burning of trash or other materials is prohibited.
• Enforcement may be carried out by any law enforcement officer in the state; violators could be subject to fine and/or imprisonment.
• Approved outdoor cooking appliances are allowed with caution.
The Norman Fire Department continues to monitor local conditions, and daily updates can be found on the city’s website.
Information on wildfire preparation can be found on the National Fire Protection Association and the National Weather Service’s websites.
This story was edited by Audrey McClour. Larkin Bock and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.
