CARTER COUNTY, OK - Carter County commissioners voted Friday morning to put a 7-day burn ban in effect. County Emergency Manager Paul Tucker said the ban includes setting off fireworks, both for the general public and most scheduled fireworks shows, although the Lake Murray display will go on as scheduled.
"It is disappointing because we do go every year and it is a tradition and we'd like to keep going," said Kristen Bloom from Lone Grove.
Carter County issued a total burn ban at 9:15 Friday morning, just three days from the 4th of July.
"With input from a couple of the fire chiefs, decided that it would not be advantageous to allow any fireworks whether it be public displays or personal displays," said Paul Tucker, Director of Emergency Management for Carter County.
But the Lake Murray fireworks show is an annual tradition the City of Ardmore works on for months and would like to keep.
Janet Bateman with the Ardmore Tourism Authority said, "We have had several discussions with the county as to whether they will allow a professional display such as the one at Lake Murray, and they have deferred to the state."
Because Lake Murray is on state property.
Extremely hot and dry conditions are the rule these days across Texoma, and the holiday forecast isn't any better. Still, when residents heard the fireworks show may not go on, most were upset.
Bloom said, "I do understand the reasoning for it. I just wish that we could go."
"I understand the safety of others. I understand that. And we're going to take that concern as well," said area resident Alyssa Fuller.
And the City of Ardmore is no different.
"Ardmore Tourism Authority is very concerned about the dryness of our countryside. The Lake Murray State Park has watered all of that property around there three different times in the last week," Bateman said.
Friday evening the state approved an exemption to allow the Lake Murray fireworks show to go on with a few restrictions.
The Dickson Fire Department and a water truck will be on site as planned. Good thing, because Lake Murray is 100-percent sold out this 4th of July weekend.
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