The July sun is beating down on the county and the extreme heat and lack of rain has prompted county commissioners to issue a burn ban.
Monday morning the commissioners passed a resolution making it illegal for any burning for at least the next week.
Under the resolution, no trash, grass or brush fires, campfires or bonfires will be allowed. Violations can result in a $500 fine and a year in the county jail.
“We have already responded to several grass fires,” said Henryetta fire chief David Bullard.
The most recent were a series of grass fires along I-40 caused by a vehicle pulling a trailer with a chain dragging on the pavement. Sparks from that chain ignited spots of small fires that were extinguished before they could endanger houses or barns.
Temperatures are expected to remain in the triple digits for the coming week with only a small chance of spotty rain showers possible.
In order to beat the heat, many people are going to hit lakes and pools.
Emergency responders are urging everyone to be careful around the water and make sure their children have proper flotation devices or are carefully monitored.