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“Texas County is still under a governor’s burn ban and, even with yesterday’s wonderful rain, fireworks are still prohibited and we will enforce that law,” Texas County Sheriff Arnold Peoples said today.

The drought has gone for a year or more with very little moisture and it will take much more rain to make our area safe enough to be released from the burn ban, he explained.

Under Title 2 Section 16-26 of the Oklahoma Statute, anyone who violates the burn ban is guilty of a misdemeanor crime and can be punished by up to $1,000 fine or up to 1 year in the county jail or both. In addition, they can be held civilly liable for any property damage caused by a fire and all costs associated with putting the fire out. The department has issued at least one citation in the county already, as has the Guymon Police Department within the city.

“I enjoy our nation’s birthday party as well as anyone, but I don’t want to spend it fighting fires and I sure don’t want to see anyone lose a home or their livelihood because of a fire started by illegal fireworks or carelessness,” Peoples concluded.

Remember, the only legal fireworks display in Texas County is by the Guymon Fire Department at FreedomFest. Anyone care to share your favorite place to view the show?