With burn ban in effect, prevent, report illegal fires

With Comanche County remaining in a burn ban at least through the end of the month, Comanche County – Lawton Emergency Management is asking people stop having illegal burns.

If you’re caught, you could get burned.

The Comanche County Commissioners extended the county’s burn ban during its Oct. 14 meeting. Following the recommendation of Emergency Management Director Clint Langford, it was the second extension since initially being put into effect on Sept. 16 due to extreme drought.

At the meeting, Langford said he expects the ban to remain in place due to elevated fire risks and until the area receives significant rainfall, a forecast not expected in the immediate future.

Despite the ban, illegal burns have continued, according to Emergency Management Specialist Thad Hulbert. He said there were at least six illegal burns since Sunday putting lives and property at risk.

“Violators of the burn ban face a $500 fine for each offense,” he said. “We urgently need the public’s cooperation to stop these illegal burns. Wildfires can spread rapidly in these conditions, endangering communities and overwhelming emergency services.”

In addition to Comanche County, the following Southwest Oklahoma counties remain in a burn ban: Caddo, Cotton, Greer, Harmon, Jackson and Tillman.

Hulbert asked that if you see an illegal burn, report it immediately to local authorities and dial 911.

“This is a serious matter, and we ask for your help in keeping our county safe,” he said. “Together, we can prevent further damage and ensure the safety of everyone.”