Understanding Lawful Burning in Oklahoma
Hello, I’m Oklahoma City attorney Dillan Savage with Wirth Law Office, and I practice primarily in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area. Today we’re going to be discussing lawful burning in the state of Oklahoma.
As a land or property owner, there is certain land you can lawfully burn—specifically wildland or undeveloped land—so long as you have a legitimate purpose.
What Constitutes a Legitimate Purpose?
Legitimate reasons for lawful burning may include:
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- The destruction of cedar trees.
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- Removal of unwanted or invasive plants and brush.
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- General maintenance of your wild or undeveloped land.
If you meet these criteria, you are allowed to burn on your property. However, this does not exempt you from consequences if things go wrong.
Legal Risks and Liability
Even if your burning is lawful, you may still be held civilly liable if:
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- Your fire causes damage to another person’s property or crops.
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- Someone is injured or killed as a result of your actions.
In addition to civil liability, you could face criminal charges if the fire results from negligence.
Know Your Land Type and Follow Local Rules
It’s important to determine whether your property is developed or undeveloped, as this distinction affects your rights to conduct burns.
There may also be local or county-level regulations requiring you to follow additional steps. In many cases, it’s strongly advised—or even legally required—to notify your local police or fire department before conducting a burn.
If you found this video helpful or believe it could help someone else, please visit TheOklahomaCityAttorney.com.
Get a Low-Cost Consultation
My name is Dillan Savage and I’m the Oklahoma City business law attorney with Wirth Law Office. Thank you for watching. If you have further questions or concerns about lawful burning, feel free to reach out for a low-cost consultation. Call me at 405-888-5400.
