The Okmulgee County Board of County Commissioners met Monday, for its regular session, handling routine business items and receiving a detailed report from Emergency Management.

Commissioners approved minutes from the Nov. 17 meeting, and addressed officers’ reports, blanket purchase orders, employee forms, utility permits, private property agreements and payment of claims, following the agenda order. They also acknowledged the lease agreement for District 2’s new loader, funded through the county’s revolving fund.

The most extensive discussion came during the Emergency Management report. Emergency Management Director Jeffrey Moore shared that crews responded to three structure fires in the past week, along with a call initially reported as a structure fire that turned out to be an abandoned vehicle fire. He emphasized the dangers firefighters face – particularly when vehicles contain magnesium, which can react explosively when doused with water.

One volunteer firefighter’s brandnew gear was burned through during one of the incidents, prompting the director to reinforce the importance of continuing support for local fire personnel.

He also reported that the county is closing out projects related to last year’s tornado damage. State inspectors are scheduled to arrive Dec. 5 to review work completed in Morris and District 1.

Looking ahead, he warned commissioners of a weather system forecast to bring extreme cold and the potential for ice or snow beginning Sunday into Monday, noting that the situation is still developing but will be monitored closely through the holiday weekend.