Garvin County remains under a burn ban after the Garvin County Board of Commissioners approved another 14-day burn ban resolution during their regular meeting Monday.
The previous resolution, passed Feb. 17, was due to expire Tuesday. The new burn ban will continue through March 16, unless it is rescinded due to improved conditions.
The entire county is still experiencing drought conditions, ranging from extreme drought in the northwest to moderate drought in the southeastern corner of the county, according to the most recent report from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Garvin County Emergency Management Director David Johnson recommended during Monday’s meeting commissioners consider extending the burn ban, noting if rainfall that is forecast for later this week materializes and fire conditions improve, the board could call a special meeting to rescind the burn ban.
“I’d rather be safe than sorry,” Johnson said, adding that five of the county’s 12 fire chiefs had expressed support for continuing the ban, while another five were in favor of letting it expire.
As of Wednesday, Garvin County is one of 11 Oklahoma counties with an active burn ban resolution in place.