Burn Bans Active in Nine Southwest Oklahoma Counties: What You Need to Know

Nine counties across southwest Oklahoma have enacted burn bans as of Monday, August 17. The affected counties include Custer, Washita, Jackson, Tillman, Cotton, Caddo, Kiowa, Comanche, and Jefferson. The bans prohibit all outdoor burning, campfires, trash burning, and fireworks. These restrictions come after a large wildfire in Anadarko forced evacuations and destroyed four structures, highlighting the serious fire danger the region is facing.

Officials are pointing to extreme heat and dry vegetation as the main drivers of the elevated wildfire risk. The message from Comanche County and Lawton Emergency Management is clear: prevent the spark, prevent the fire. Even in the five counties without active bans, Beckham, Harmon, Greer, Grady, and Stephens, residents should exercise extreme caution with any outdoor activity that could create a spark.

If you’re in an affected county, that means holding off on burning yard waste or enjoying a campfire for now. For those in non-ban counties, the conditions are just as dry, so it’s wise to take extra precautions anyway. You can check the state’s interactive burn ban map to see the latest status for your area. Have you changed any plans because of the burn bans? Let us know in the comments.