The Woodward News

Local News

January 21, 2009

County adopts rules to declare burn ban

Within the last week, about nine fires have occurred in Woodward County.

With that figure in mind, Woodward County commissioners on Tuesday adopted procedures that will enable them to declare burn bans in the event of extreme fire danger.

In the past, burn bans have always been enforced by the governor, but the law now enables them to be decided on a more local level.

Emergency Management Director Matt Lehenbauer presented the procedures.

“We’re under a very high fire risk for the week,” Lehenbauer told commissioners. “We’re (classified as) abnormally dry, which is the stage before you can declare burn bans.”

Woodward County has received little rain fall during the last three months.

Lehenbauer said the city of Woodward had received only .89 inches of rain, while Buffalo had received about a quarter of an inch and Arnett had received almost .75 of an inch.

For a ban to be declared, Woodward County has to fall under the classification of moderate or extreme drought. The county is only a step away from the moderate category.

According to the procedures adopted by the commission, chiefs of municipal or rural fire departments in Woodward County, any county commissioner, or the emergency management director may ask the Emergency Operations Center to determine whether conditions warrant a poll of the county fire chiefs for a possible burn ban.

If it is determined that conditions exist, the EOC will notify each fire chief, who will vote either for or against the ban.

When a majority vote occurs, the EOC will notify the county commission and ask for an emergency meeting to consider a declaration of a period of extreme fire danger.

A signed declaration will be required and the burn ban will be in effect for seven days.

Any burn ban declared by the governor would override the county, Lehenbauer said.

In other business, county commissioners signed lease-purchase agreements for two new motor graders -- one for Highway District No. 3 and one for Highway District No. 1.

The John Deere motor graders cost $228,678 each and are six-wheel drive.

The commission also:

•Released funds in the amount of $3,300 to Northwest Domestic Crisis Services.

•Approved a grant for Quinlan Community Rural Water District No. 1 for extension of a water line.

•Approved the jail report.

•Approved a request from Sandridge Energy for utility permits to bore gas pipelines under county roads in District. No. 1.

•Approved allocation of the Alcoholic Beverage Tax for January in the amount of $12,614.

•Approved a resolution to dispose of equipment for the Sheriff’s Department by having it sold at the Statewide County Equipment Auction.

•Approved a resolution to sell a Galion 850B motor grader belonging to the county in District No. 1 at the auction.

•Approved a request to transfer funds within Highway District No. 1 into capital outlay.

•Approved a land-rights agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service for 2009 Woodward County EWP projects.

Text Only
Local News
  • Winter weather visits Woodward

    Maybe the groundhog was right after all, as Northwest Oklahoma received some winter weather Tuesday and more may be in the forecast.

    February 7, 2012

  • City not footing bill for additions

    The city won't have to foot the bill for an increase in construction costs to renovate the Woodward Industrial Building for use by Siemens Energy.

    February 7, 2012

  • AARP set up in Enid to offer tax help

    TULSA - The American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) Tax-Aide Program is only coming as close to the Woodward area as Enid this year, says State Program Coordinator Andy Bednarz, who is out of Tulsa.

    February 7, 2012

  • Area legislators react favorably to State of the State speech

    OKLAHOMA CITY - Area legislators were upbeat after Gov. Mary Fallin's State of the State address Monday.
    The News obtained statements from Sen. Bryce Marlatt, R-Woodward; Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview; and Rep. Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, following the address Monday afternoon.

    February 7, 2012

  • Gov. Fallin highlights more cuts to state income tax

    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Mary Fallin outlined a budget plan Monday to deeply reduce Oklahoma's personal income tax rate by eliminating dozens of tax exemptions, including many claimed by poor and working-class Oklahomans.

    February 7, 2012

  • Commissioner wants to raise awareness about Agenda 21

    A Woodward County commissioner wants to spread the word about what he believes is an on the American way of life.

    February 6, 2012

  • Recent rain big boost for wheat

    Those who make their living off a healthy wheat crop are singing the praises of the recent rain.

    February 6, 2012

  • WEBvietnammemorial.jpg Special trip honors veterans

    Oklahoma Honor Flights offer free transportation by air and bus to help veterans visit the memorials in our nation's capitol.  To participate in the honor flights, all veterans have to do is fill out an application which is available on the Oklahoma Honor Flights website at http://oklahomahonorflights.org/. 

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

  • webwickware.jpg “Fightin’ Firefighter” preps for debut MMA cage fight

    Come Feb. 11, Michael "the Fightin' Firefighter" Wickware will fight for a victory in his Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) amateur debut match.
    The match will take place during the Art of War Cage Fights which will be held at the Woodward County Fairgrounds.  Doors will open at 6 p.m. Feb. 11 with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

  • Ethnic food fair, raffle to benefit Outreach Center

    High Plains Outreach Center’s annual Ethnic Food Fair will be held Feb. 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Clayton Hall at the First Christian Church located at 9th St. and Oklahoma Ave.  At the conclusion of this year's food fair, the Outreach Center will be raffling off a couple of prizes including a pair of Thunder tickets and a photo of Blake Griffin of the LA Clippers.

    February 4, 2012