Published: July 03, 2009 11:22 am      

Hazard mitigation plan updated

The Pryor hazard mitigation committee discussed urban fires and wildfires in a meeting Wednesday.

The hazard mitigation plan must be updated every five years. The committee is working with Planning Consultant R. D. Flanagan to update the 2004 plan.

Figures from the state fire marshal’s office state Pryor had 11 residential home fires in 2006, with a report of $35,000 in damages. Other blazes in 2006 include one apartment fire, one commercial office fire, two warehouse fires and two

industrial fires.

Fires in older structures outnumber fires in newer structures by 59.1 percent to 45.9 percent.

Fire Chief Tim Thompson said in the last year the schools have installed new fire alarm systems. He said the new systems stemmed from an inspection program.

Walter Stout, city building inspector, said Pryor Municipal Utility Board yearly reviews alarm systems in businesses such as nursing homes and daycare centers. Stout said these facilities have occupants who may not be capable of self preservation. The inspections are conducted to ensure each facility is up to the fire code and all alarm systems are operating

properly.

Stout said MUB has been replacing water lines of inadequate size. The crews are installing larger water lines to provide sufficient fire

protection in the event of a fire.

In 2006, Pryor Fire Department responded to 59 wildfires. A total of 791 acres burned.

Flanagan said the Pryor community is highly vulnerable to wildfires, particularly the west side of town. Flanagan said the trees and heavy vegetation make the community more susceptible to wildfires.

Stout pointed out the areas in the greatest danger are in the flood plain. In drier seasons, Flanagan said a flood plain area becomes vulnerable to fire. The vegetation touches housing areas in a number of places.

Johnny Janzen, emergency management director, said one thing that helped with wildfires this year is the state allowed counties to enforce their own burn bans. Mayes County was able to impose burn bans when the fire departments and emergency management felt it was necessary. Without that

ability, Janzen said the wildfires could have been much worse.