Bill > HB3406

This bill modifies existing Oklahoma law regarding burn bans and extreme fire danger, primarily by changing the conditions that trigger such bans and by introducing new exemptions and procedures. The bill revises the criteria for declaring "extreme fire danger" at the county level, now requiring either a Red Flag Warning from the National Weather Service (NWS) or at least three specific conditions, including drought severity as determined by the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), low precipitation forecasts, high temperatures, or specific fire weather outlooks. It also shortens the duration of a county-level burn ban from fourteen to eight days unless renewed, and clarifies that agricultural producers burning cropland or rangeland are exempt if they follow a detailed prescribed burn plan, notify relevant authorities, and comply with specific procedures. Additionally, the bill clarifies that county commissioners are not liable for damages related to burn ban decisions and expands the list of state agencies that must be notified when a burn ban is enacted, including the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD), and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC). The bill also makes technical amendments to the language used by the Division of Forestry Services. Finally, it declares an emergency, meaning the law will take effect immediately upon its passage and approval.