Bryan County commissioners, in a Monday meeting, voted to extend the burn ban in the county due to the extremely dry conditions.
“By virtue of this resolution, it is unlawful for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, range, crop or other wildlands, or to build a campfire or bonfire, or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass, range, crop, or other wildland fire,” the resolution states.
Exceptions are outdoor gas grills, gas smokers, charcoal grills, outdoor gas fire pits, wood pellet smokers and fire pits with rings no bigger than 3’ by 3.’ Welding torches must have fire retardant blankets. All flammable material around the area to be cut/welded must be removed. There must be a pressurized water source within reach, charged, and ready to go, according to the resolution.
Violation of the burn ban is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500 and/or one year in jail.
The burn ban will end on Oct. 12, unless commissioners vote to renew it.
In other agenda items, commissioners approved School Resource Officer (SRO) contracts with Durant Public Schools and Silo Public Schools that were effective Aug. 10 through May 21, 2027.
Under the agreements, the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office is providing Durant Schools with five full-time deputies to serve as SROs at a cost of $250,000. The sheriff’s office is providing one full-time SRO to Silo Schools at a cost of $42,000.
Commissioners also approved the following agenda items: - Interlocal agreement for detention services for Bokchito and Caddo.
- Approved the purchase of a 3000-gallon tanker fire truck by the Colbert Fire Department. The department has the funds to purchase it now.
- Approved service agreement with Homeland Security.
- Approved a public utility road crossing application for Dobson Fiber that they are paying for.