so citizens are not capable of knowing when and how to burn thier garbage but a global warming indoctrinated 24 year old fireman is.....NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR SAFE AND LAWFUL PRESCRIBED BURNING IN OKLAHOMA Oklahoma Department of Agriculture – Forestry Services PO Box 528804 – Oklahoma City, OK 73152 – 405-522-6158 Prescribed burning is an effective land management tool that can help landowners accomplish a variety of objectives. But there are also risks and liabilities associated with burning so it must be used with appropriate caution. Landowners and managers must understand their responsibilities under Oklahoma law and how to plan and conduct a burn safely. By following some basic guidelines and exercising caution and common sense, your burns will be safe and effective, your neighbors and the public will be protected and prescribed burning will remain a viable management tool in Oklahoma. The information that follows is intended to acquaint you with basic prescribed burning considerations and the law. It does not contain enough detail to enable you to plan and conduct a burn, but presumes you are already experienced, trained or knowledgeable about the use of fire. There are other sources of information, training and technical assistance available that provide details about prescribed burning. Disclaimer. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture provides this information as a public service and is in no way liable for the actions of those who undertake prescribed burning activities. Landowners must become experienced and knowledgeable about the use of prescribed fire before actually planning and conducting a burn themselves. Controlled Fire or Wildfire. There is a big difference between a prescribed burn and a wildfire. Prescribed burns are conducted on a designated area under specific conditions for a defined objective, and are extinguished. A wildfire is a fire that is out of control. A “safe burn” is measured by your ability to successfully plan, organize and conduct a burn on a defined area to accomplish specific objectives, while safeguarding the burning crew, your equipment, your neighbors and the public at large. “Safe burns” are no accident. Liability. You are responsible for your fire. Title 2, Sections 16-28 and 16-28.2 of the Oklahoma Forestry Code provide some liability protection for landowners conducting prescribed burns under certain conditions (see next pages). To obtain this protection however, the owner or manager is responsible for planning the burn, providing proper notification to neighbors and local authorities, conducting the burn according to the plan, providing adequate equipment and manpower to control the fire and confine it to his or her property and preventing downwind impacts. In terms of liability, the law distinguishes between fires that escape by accident and those that escape due to negligence. Safety Considerations. Your responsibilities related to safety are: (1) Identify sensitive places around and downwind of the area you plan to burn and manage your smoke to avoid causing problems downwind from the burn. Errant smoke can impact your neighbors and local communities, close airports or roadways and create significant safety hazards. (2) Provide personal protective gear for your crew and communicate with them effectively before and during the fire to ensure their safety. (3) Use an appropriate firing technique to minimize risk. (4) Provide an adequate amount
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 02:00:58 +0000
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