Wildfire safety tips provided by OCEM
During their end-of-themonth meeting last Thursday, the Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution regarding the addition of speed signage along a section of road in District 1.
The resolution passed stipulates a new traffic speed limit of 35 miles per hour along a specific route in our community.
The affected area begins on 153rd Road at Hectorville Road and extends north on 153rd Road to its junction with Adams Road. Additionally, the speed limit will apply from the intersection of 153rd Road west on Albert Road until it meets Adams Road. The regulation continues along Adams Road south on 136th Road to the intersection with Albert Road.
Traffic control signs will be installed to enforce this new speed limit, as detailed on the map provided with the resolution. This measure aims to enhance safety and traffic flow in these designated areas.
Additionally, the board approved utility permits submitted by Rural Water District 20.
At their regular meeting the following Monday, the commissioners approved the minutes from the endof- month meeting and went on to approve the following items:
• Officer’s Reports: February reports from the Health Department, Sheriff ’s Office, and the County Clerk’s Office.
• Blanket Purchase Orders: General – Cookson Hills (legal publications) for $1,500; Health department (Amazon) for $3,000; Muscogee Nation (x-rays) for $500
• Transfer of Appropriations: County Clerk Tonya Day explained that the County Assessor had mistakenly bought envelopes using the travel account and this transfer will add those funds back.
• Resolution to Deposit Funds: The County Assessor also sold a truck on the Purple Wave auction site and money was directly deposited into the general fund. County Clerk Day said that this resolution is so that they have a paper trail. She added that this sale happened back in July of last year.
• Resolution to use the Use Tax Fund for a roof for the District One Barn. Commissioner Zoellner brought a bid from a “local Beggs company” saying he’d asked other companies for quotes but only heard from one other individual who wanted the job before offering a quote.
The board then tabled a potential vote on a resolution to put fencing around the Emergency Management office until an actual resolution could be brought forth.
Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore did not deliver his weekly report because of a training event he had to attend. However, Director Moore has posted several information items on the Okmulgee County Emergency Management Facebook page regarding the recent wildfires in surrounding areas.
Dry and windy conditions caused a controlled burn get out of hand Saturday afternoon, leading to 900 acres being burned near Ferguson Road and Bixby Road in Okmulgee County.
Multiple fire departments from different agencies assisted in putting out the fire.
A few of those tips include:
• Making sure you and your family have an emergency preparedness plan. Talk about what items you should have in your care in the event of a crisis.
• You don’t have to wait for an evacuation order to leave. Do what is in the best interest of you and your loved ones.
They’ve also provided some helpful wildfire mitigation tips:
• Properly discard cigarettes
• Keep vehicles off of dry grass
• Avoid activities with open flames or sparks
• Avoid power equipment that creates sparks
• Obey burn bans
• Evacuate if fire/smoke is headed your way
• Evacuate if ordered to do so by local emergency personnel Director Moore also posted a reminder for residents to prepare for the upcoming time change. Daylight Savings Time will take place this Sunday, March 10 at 2 a.m.
