McClain County Commissioners voted to extend the county-wide burn ban for another 14 days at their regular meeting Tuesday, January 20,  at the courthouse.

Commissioners met one day later than usual due to the Martin Luther King holiday Monday.

Commissioners Wilson Lyles, Glen Murray and Terry Daniel voted unanimously to institute another burn ban with tinder dry conditions present.

Under the ban it is unlawful for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, range, crop or other wild lands or to build a campfire or bonfire or to burn trash or other material that may cause a wild fire.

Exceptions include items related to road construction projects like equipment that uses propane or other controlled-type burners. But commissioners said in their proclamation it would be prudent to have a water pumper on standby any time the equipment is used near a grassy right of way.

Welding is allowed when conducted over a noncombustible surface of at least 10 feet by 10 feet. A fire watcher other than the welder is also required.

Outdoor campfires or bonfires are forbidden. However LPG and natural gas grills and charcoal-fired cooking outside in a grilling receptacle are permitted provided the activity is conducted over a nonflammable surface and at least five feet from flammable vegetation.

Gas vents and flares associated with the extraction of oil and gas are exempt as long as the top of the vent pipe is raised well above the surrounding vegetation.

Fire training exercises within confines of refinery boundaries shall be exempt.

The burn ban runs through February 3.