Understanding the Oklahoma Controlled Burn Indemnity Fund
Hello, I’m Oklahoma City business law attorney Dillan Savage with Wirth Law Office, and I practice primarily in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area.
Today we are going to be talking about the Oklahoma Controlled Burn Indemnity Fund. This indemnity fund is created within the Oklahoma Conservation Commission.
Purpose of the Fund
So, what is this fund for, and who does it benefit? This fund was created to make whole—or otherwise indemnify—individuals who, through no fault of their own, experience property loss after following a prescribed burn plan.
Even if you followed the plan correctly, but your land still ended up being damaged in a way that caused unexpected loss, this fund may be able to help.
How It Works
Before your prescribed burn, you must submit a prescribed burn plan and pay the required fee, which, to my understanding, is $100. If you follow that plan and are not negligent, and you still suffer damage, you have 60 days to file a claim with the Conservation Commission for compensation from the indemnity fund.
The Commission will likely request supporting documentation and conduct an investigation. If it’s determined that the damage was not your fault and that you followed the burn plan, it’s highly likely you’ll be 100% indemnified.
Your Compensation Rights
However, in the event that full compensation is not available immediately, the statute allows for you to be paid over time until you recoup all of your damages. You can find this specific statute in Title 2, Section 16-28.3 of Oklahoma law. It’s literally called the Oklahoma Controlled Burn Indemnity Fund.
There is a safety net for individuals who suffer property damage during a prescribed burn in Oklahoma—if it happens through no fault of their own and they followed the law.
Get More Information and Support
If you found this information helpful or believe it could help someone else, please visit TheOklahomaCityAttorney.com. My name is Dillan Savage, and I’m the Oklahoma City attorney with Wirth Law Office.
Thank you for watching. If you have questions about your situation or need legal assistance, contact me for a low-cost consultation at 405-888-5400.
