With dry conditions persisting and fire activity on the rise, Kingfisher County officials say a burn ban could soon be on the table.
During the March 23 meeting, Kingfisher County Emergency Manager Randy Poindexter briefed commissioners on current conditions, warning that without meaningful rainfall, the county may need to consider restrictions.
“We’re getting to the point, if we don’t get any moisture anytime soon, we’re going to have to start thinking about placing the county under a burn ban,” Poindexter said.
The discussion comes after a busy stretch for area firefighters. Several controlled burns escaped over the weekend, fueled by dry vegetation and shifting winds. While Kingfisher County avoided the worst of it, Poindexter pointed to a major wildfire in neighboring Dewey County that forced evacuations in the town of Camargo and required multiple task forces and aerial support.
Locally, fire officials say conditions are becoming increasingly unpredictable.
“I watched green wheat burn Friday,” one commissioner noted, highlighting just how dry things have become.
Hennessey Fire Chief Brandon Scott echoed those concerns, saying recent days have kept crews especially busy.
“This last five days was crazy,” Scott said. “You can burn one day and everything seems fine, then the wind picks up the next day and we’ve got problems.”
Poindexter acknowledged the challenges a burn ban can create for agricultural operations but emphasized that exemptions typically remain in place for properly planned and approved burns. Even so, those conducting burns assume full liability if fires get out of control.
The potential for a burn ban remains under consideration, with no action taken at Monday’s meeting. Officials say the situation will depend largely on upcoming weather, which currently shows little chance of significant rainfall.
In the meantime, county leaders are urging residents to use caution and stay aware of rapidly changing conditions.
“Right now,” Poindexter said, “it’s about safety and making sure people understand how quickly things can get out of hand.”
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