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Photo by Andy Dossett/Examiner-Enterprise
Bartlesville firefighters battled several fires on Gap Road and Circle Mountain last Friday after high winds, fueled by extremely dry conditions, caused damage to an electrical pole and several oil leases. Bartlesville Fire Department joined several fire departments across the state to help bring the fires under control. At least eight homes and multiple out-buildings and other structures were destroyed.
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Homes destroyed after fire sweeps area
Firefighters battle high winds; multiple fires break out Friday
Bartlesville firefighters joined several agencies across the state to help battle fires out of control on Circle Mountain and Gap Road on Friday.
High winds were to blame for the fires, both in causing them and making them difficult to control. In all, eight homes — seven on Gap Road and one on Circle Mountain — and several other structures in the area were destroyed.
"The fires started on Gap Road when the wind snapped an electrical pole at about six feet from the ground," said Bartlesville Fire Chief David Topping. "That caused the wires to sag down and slap together, which resulted in the fire."
He said several other fires started on oil leases in much the same way, with winds causing the lines to slap together and cause fires.
"We had four major fires going at one time, and Dewey had one north of Oak Park," he said. "It was an all-hands-on-deck situation."
Topping said all available firefighters, including several called in from off-duty, were on fire scenes until things were under control.
"We had all of our guys that could be out on Friday, including a team in town that ran from house to house putting out small fires caused by the high winds," he said.
He said multiple agencies joined the fight.
"They came from all over the state," he said. "Oklahoma Forestry had three teams in and three teams out from Friday through the entire weekend. It was a tough situation, but I'm proud of our guys and everyone else who stepped up to help."
He said work done by Oklahoma Forestry last year to thin Bartlesville's most wooded areas, including Circle Mountain, almost certainly kept the fires from being worse.
"It's hard to imagine it could be worse, but without the fire mitigation efforts they underwent in this area last year, it almost certainly would have been," he said.
Washington County has issued a burn ban for the next 14 days due to extremely dry conditions.
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City Council votes to approve drought plan
Rate hikes for high-use households go into effect April 10
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The Bartlesville City Council on Monday voted to approve modifications to the Water Storage Ordinance and a resolution to enact the emergency water rate provisions of the Water Shortage Ordinance.
What it means
This means rate increases for households using in excess of 10,000 gallons of water per month, outdoor watering restrictions and other measures beginning Monday, April 10, for all City of Bartlesville water customers.
These measures are in response to ongoing drought conditions in the Hulah Lake watershed area, located in southeast Kansas. Hulah Lake, located near Copan, is the City's primary water supply source. The Drought Contingency Plan, which was created following a severe drought in 2002, has been updated through the council's actions Monday night.
The measures: Phase 2
The plan requires steps to be taken based on the percentage of the City's overall water supply levels during drought conditions. Phase 1 of the plan kicks in when levels fall below 80 percent, requiring a public information campaign to inform the public of the supply status and measures they can take to reduce usage.
Phase 2, which is the phase Bartlesville is currently in, is based on an overall water supply level between 69 and 60 percent. As of Monday, overall levels were at 60.6 percent. In accordance with this stage of the plan as approved by the council Monday, the following measures will become effective on Monday, April 10:
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Rates increases for customers using more than 10,000 gallons of water per month. Increases include 105 percent of current rates for use between 10,001 gallons and 25,000 gallons, 110 percent of current rates for use between 25,001 gallons and 50,000 gallons, and 115 percent of current rates for use in excess of 50,000 gallons.
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Outdoor water use will be restricted to two days per week, with even-numbered properties watering on Mondays and Thursdays and odd numbered properties watering on Tuesdays and Fridays.
- City owned facilities such as golf courses, parks and capital projects will reduce or discontinue all irrigation except as necessary to preserve greens or newly planted trees. For athletic fields or newly laid sod or seed, the watering shall be restricted to follow the outdoor water restrictions for even numbered properties implemented by each stage.
- A reduced schedule of operation or closure may be implemented for City-owned swimming pools to conserve water.
- City-owned splash pads will be closed.
- All leaks in the raw water and treated water system will be repaired immediately, without waiting for the most cost effective or convenient time.
- Non-essential operational uses of water by City crews will be suspended. Examples include but are not limited to flushing of water mains and fire hydrants, street sweeping, routine water jet cleaning of sanitary sewer mains, and non-essential training of fire fighters using potable water.
Phase 3, which will go into effect is water levels fall between 59 and 50 percent, will require all of the Phase 2 measures plus further restricted outdoor watering to one day per week, no written warnings and a more aggressive fine schedule for violations, reduced water pressure, and more aggressive rate increases, including for households using between 2001 and 10,000 gallons per month.
Stage 4 kicks in when levels fall to below 50 percent. This would include all of the above measures with a total ban on outdoor watering, the closure of City-owned swimming pools, and more aggressive fines for violations and higher rate increases for households using more than 2,000 gallons of water per month.
"The average family uses 7,000 gallons of water per month, so these provisions would not affect the average household unless we enter Stage 3 of the plan," said Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen. "Unfortunately, rate increases have been shown to have the biggest impact on water conservation."
Any revenue from these rate increases will be captured and allocated for water system improvement or future conservation efforts.
Rates will remain consistent with whichever phase is in effect based on overall water levels until "there is an expectation that levels will remain above the threshold for a reasonable period of time," Lauritsen said.
"Hopefully, we will have a significant rain event or enough overall rain the Hulah watershed area to refill Hulah Lake to bring our overall levels to 70 percent or above, at which time water rates will go back to the regular, previous rates."
The measures will be enforced by the Bartlesville Police Department and Codes Enforcement. Any person violating any of the Stage 2 restrictions will be subject to a a written warning for the first offense, a $50 fine for the second offense, a $100 fine for the third offense, a $200 fine for the fourth offense, and a $500 fine for the fifth or more offense.
To view the ordinance in its entirety, see Water Storage Ordinance. For more information, see www.cityofbartlesville.org, City Beat, March 21, 2023 or City Beat, March 28.
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The latest
Where we started: 71 percent
Where we are: 60.6 percent
Usage
Last week: 4.43 million gallons per day
Average winter use: 4-5 mgd
Average summer use: 8-9 mgd
Have we been here before?
In late 2012-13, Bartlesville was in a similar situation. Rainfall that occurred in April and May 2013 restored lake levels.
Has it been worse?
It has been a lot worse. In 2001-02, Bartlesville survived its worst drought in modern history, when overall water supply reached 17 percent. Rain in June and July 2002 restored lake levels just before restrictions were imposed.
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Easiest ways to make a difference
Don't use the toilet for anything other than human waste and toilet paper.
Replace any defective parts on toilets, sinks and other facilities.
Shortening your shower by just a couple of minutes.
Turn off the water while brushing or anytime you're not using it.
Did you know?
If every Bartlesville household reduced its water use by just 1,000 gallons per month, and commercial business reduced usage by 2,000 gallons per month, it would save just under 1 million gallons per day or more than 20 million gallons per month.
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Do you have an innovative idea to help encourage water conservation? Send it to us! Email your idea to [email protected]. | |
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Trash routes amended this week due to holiday
Friday solid waste customers to be serviced Wednesday, April 5
Most City offices will be closed Friday, April 7, and Friday trash routes will be amended to Wednesday, April 5, this week due to the Good Friday holiday.
During holiday weeks, trash collection for routes affected by the holiday is always on Wednesday of that week. Collection for Friday solid waste department customers this week will be on Wednesday, April 5, instead of Friday, April 7.
Trash must be placed at its normal collection point no later than 6 a.m. on April 5 for collection this week.
The recycling center will also be closed April 7. Police and fire services will continue uninterrupted.
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Committee to review FCC building proposals
A committee is reviewing proposals relating to the former First Christian Church Building, City Manager Mike Bailey said Monday. The committee is expected to make recommendations to the City Council during an upcoming meeting.
The City issued a Request for Proposals asking the public to submit their plans for the building, located at 520 S. Osage Ave., at the request of the City Council last year.
The council had authorized a feasibility study last year to determine whether the building would be appropriate for a small to mid-sized conference center, as FCC had offered to donate the building to the City for that purpose. But that idea was nixed when the study revealed the center would cost too much money. FCC then said they would consider permitting other uses for the building, at which time the RFP was issued. The City has agreed to provide up to $2 million to assist with renovations, if necessary, pending voter approval in the next General Obligation Bond Election.
Bailey said Monday those proposals are in and are under review.
"We received six responses to the RFP, which are currently being reviewed by a committee consisting of City staff, Mayor (Dale) Copeland, and Vice Mayor (Jim) Curd," Bailey said. "We anticipate bringing a recommendation to the council regarding this project once a decision has been made."
He said the proposals include retail and office, entrepreneurial center, arts hub facility, retail space with a Black Box studio, film production and training institute, and an arts and faith-based activity facility.
Bailey said the committee could recommend the building be designated for use in conjunction with one of the proposals, or "the committee could decide to recommend the project not move forward at all."
"No decision has been made," he said.
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Adams Golf Course takes on water questions | |
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City staff have received several questions regarding the use of water at the City of Bartlesville-owned Adams Golf Course since a public awareness campaign was launched in December 2022 urging residents to conserve water due to drought conditions. Golf Course Superintendent Jody Shahan answers those questions in this week's Director's Cut.
First, is the golf course doing anything to help the conservation effort?
Since last fall, when this water situation first began, we have watered the entire golf course only one time. We will only be watering greens from this point forward.
The Drought Contingency Plan permits the watering of green despite the imposition of other restrictions. Can you tell us why?
The greens are a $2 million asset that we have to protect. They are a cool-season grass that is cut at .125ths of an inch and does not tolerate heat well.
How are the greens watered?
There is no specific way that we water the greens. It will vary from green to green, and we can break it down to individual sprinkler heads also. We have moisture meters that we use to keep an eye on water content on our greens. We will also be working with evapotranspiration rates, which is the rate that water leaves the soil and is transferred to the atmosphere. We use a few different wetting agents which control how water goes into the soil and stays. We also have extra staff right now that we will be using to water by hand.
Is this all about aesthetics?
Our watering is very science-based and is not based on a feeling or how something looks. Contrary to what some people might think, we are more concerned with grass health and not appearance.
What about the course, other than the greens?
With the small, occasional rains we have been getting, the majority of the golf course that is Bermuda grass will be just fine. There is a huge percentage of the golf course that only receives rain water, and it may look bad, but it almost always bounces right back, just like yards do.
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Mayor's national water challenge gets underway
The Wyland Foundation's national water challenge officially got underway this week with a proclamation read during the Bartlesville City Council meeting on Monday.
Bartlesville is one of many communities across the country asking residents to make a long-term commitment to reduce pollution and manage water resources more wisely.
In return, residents can win more than $50,000 in eco-friendly prizes, including $3,000 toward their home utility payments, water saving fixtures, and hundreds of other prizes. Plus, this year students from thousands of schools across the country can make water conservation commitments that directly support their city’s standings.
The challenge began April 1 and ends April 30. To participate, sign up at https://mywaterpledge.com/
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Volunteers wanted: Operation Clean House | |
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Operation Clean House needs your help! Volunteers are needed to help staff the 2023 OCH event, set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 22.
The event will be held at two locations, the Phillips 66 downtown parking lot and the District 2 Washington County barn in Dewey.
OCH is a free, countywide event for Washington County residents to dispose of hazardous household and automotive goods without harming the environment or endangering human health.
More than a hundred volunteers are needed to help offload and organize the waste that is dropped off. Organizers of the event, for which the City is a sponsor, say volunteers are still needed just to reach the minimum staffing level.
Contact [email protected] to volunteer. Not only will you get the satisfaction of helping area citizens and the environment, volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and breakfast and/or lunch.
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Board, Committee & Commission Openings
The City of Bartlesville has numerous boards, committees and commissions that are driven by citizen volunteers. All citizens are encouraged and welcome to apply. Board applications are available online and in the City Manager’s Office, located on the second floor of City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Ave. Applications are kept on file for two years. To view a complete list, see Boards, Committees & Commissions.
The City currently has openings on the following committees/boards:
- One opening on the Bartlesville Area Museum Trust Authority
- One opening on the Bartlesville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Board of Directors (Visit Bartlesville)
- One opening on the Construction and Fire Code Appeals Board
For more information, visit the City's website, www.cityofbartlesville.org.
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Kelli Williams, Editor
401 S. Johnstone Ave.
Bartlesville, OK 74003
918.338.4132
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