Commissioner announces plan to remove red cedars | News

OKLAHOMA CITY—While summer is still a few months away, leaders across the state are already preparing for wildfire season.

District Two Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan is announcing a new program that would remove Eastern Red Cedar trees from public and private land across Oklahoma County.

Officials said the trees can drain up to 40 gallons of water a day from soil, making it hard for landowners to keep other plants and crops alive.

The trees are also filled with oils that make them a major wildfire hazard.

Senate Bill 1539 was passed in 2012, which allows inmates to be used on private property to harvest eastern red cedar trees.

Other personnel and equipment would be provided by Oklahoma County District Two.