CHOUTEAU, Okla. — After a wet winter and spring helped vegetation grow in drought-prone parts of the Green Country, the lack of recent precipitation is increasing the risk of wildfires.

Here is a map of the current burn bans:

Starting October 16, northeastern Oklahoma counties Washington, Mayes, Craig, Delaware and Ottawa are under fire bans for at least the next 12 days. This means that any intentional grazing, grazing, littering or campfires is considered a misdemeanor.

Okmulgee County, which has no burn ban as of Wednesday afternoon, posted this warning to stop all unnecessary burning:

Locust Grove Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jared Turner didn’t want to go on camera, but told 2 News that recent grass fires have hit northern parts of Mayes County hard.

John Knifechief lives next door to the Chouteau Volunteer Fire Department and is a retired member of the Pawnee Nation Fire Scouts.

“The grass is so dry and the leaves are falling right now that it could start a fire,” Knifechief told 2 News. “People might go hunting and when they come back and see smoke, it’s because their silencer and everything else is on fire.”

In rural areas currently under a fire ban, fire warnings are posted, and local volunteer fire departments are also using social media to spread the message faster than a fire can.
Knifechief knows firsthand the pressure wildfires place on volunteer departments. He said he is urging his neighbors to do their part.

“Just don’t start (intentional) fires or anything like that,” he said. “Don’t cook outside this time of year. Because if you do that, you never know if your house is going to go up in flames.”

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