Red Flag Warning In Effect For Most Of Western OK

A red flag warning is in effect for a large portion on western Oklahoma for the entirety of Wednesday afternoon into evening.

Several towns were evacuated Tuesday as weather conditions continued to fuel wildfires that have burned for more than six days.

The state agriculture, food and forestry department said extreme fire weather conditions will exist near and west of a line from Alfalfa County to Tillman County.

New fires will likely exhibit rapid rates of spread and be resistant to control and ongoing fires like the Rhea and 34 Complex will likely experience additional growth.

The department stressed the importance of adhering to the governor's burn ban. A state of emergency has been issued for 52 counties. 

Outdoor burning and other activities that could spark a fire are strongly discouraged. Do not throw cigarettes out car windows. Report any suspicious smoke or fires to your local law enforcement or fire authority.

The state forestry department said at least one fire on Tuesday was caused by a person who violated burn ban restrictions.

Just after 5 p.m., the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management released the following situation update regarding the wildfires: 

WILDFIRES IMPACTING STATE

Due to high fire danger and wildfires that continue to impact Western Oklahoma, the State Emergency Operations Center remains activated. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas and is coordinating with Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Forestry Services, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, National Weather Service, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Fire Warning for parts of western Oklahoma through 6 p.m. today. Fire weather conditions will improve Thursday into Sunday as widespread rain is expected across the state.

STATE OF EMERGENCY

A State of Emergency remains in effect for 52 Oklahoma counties due to ongoing wildfires and critical fire weather conditions that began Thursday. Under the Executive Order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.

The counties included in the governor’s declaration are: Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cimarron, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Creek, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnston, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, Love, Major, Marshall, McClain, Murray, Noble, Oklahoma, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, Seminole, Stephens, Texas, Tillman, Washita, Woods and Woodward.

BURN BANS IN EFFECT

A Governor’s Burn Ban remains in effect for 36 counties: Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cimarron, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Jefferson, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Logan, Major, Noble, Oklahoma, Osage, Pawnee, Roger Mills, Stephens, Texas, Tillman, Washita, Woods, Woodward.

Additional county burn bans are in place for Alfalfa, Canadian, Grant, and Major counties.

Outdoor burning and other activities that could spark a fire are strongly discouraged. Do not throw cigarettes out car windows. Report any suspicious smoke or fires to your local law enforcement or fire authority.

WILDFIRE DAMAGE SURVEY

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management along with Dewey and Woodward County emergency management, is asking residents impacted by the Rhea Fire and 34 Complex Fire to report damages to their property by calling 211 or using the following link http://arcg.is/uK0Te.

Reporting damage helps local and state emergency managers better coordinate response and recovery efforts.

SHELTERS AND MASS CARE

The following shelters are currently open for those displaced by the fires:

• Canton Old Gymnasium, Main Street, Canton (Blaine County) – This shelter is Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribe managed, American Red Cross supported

• First Baptist Church, 301 N. Noble Ave., Watonga (Dewey County) – This shelter is independently managed, American Red Cross supported.

• Vici Chamber Building, 107 East Broadway, Vici (Dewey County) – This shelter is independently managed

Shelters at Elm Grove Community Church in Chester and Fairview Community Center in Fairview are now closed.

American Red Cross and Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief continue to provide meals to firefighters and residents impacted by the Rhea and 34 Complex fires. They have provided more than 5,000 meals and 3,900 snacks since April 12. Fairview Methodist Church is providing meals in Dewey County. American Red Cross is conducting client casework and passing out clean up kits.

American Red Cross is also providing food and beverages to responders at a fire west of Laverne in Beaver County.

INJURIES AND FATALITIES

Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports a 61-year-old man died Thursday in Roger MIlls County as a result of injuries sustained in the fire that began southeast of Leedey.

Dewey County Sheriff reports a woman died in her vehicle at a residence near Seiling as a result of the Rhea Fire.

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 20 injuries have been reported by area hospitals:

•           Burns - 1

•           Smoke inhalation/heat-related injuries – 19

FIRE REPORTS

Rhea Fire – Evacuations were ordered Tuesday for residents in and around Oakwood and areas near Seiling. Oklahoma Forestry Services reports this fire is now estimated at 283,095 acres. Most fire growth yesterday occurred on the northeast side of the fire, south of Seiling.

Task forces from Bryan, Lincoln, Mayes, Oklahoma, Pittsburg, Rogers, and Stephens counties are responding to the fire today. Additional crews from task forces from Bryan, Carter, Oklahoma, Pittsburg, Stephens, and Tulsa counties will be working the fire overnight. 

34 Complex Fire – This fire remains estimated at 67,776 acres.

Laverne Fire – This fire reported yesterday in Beaver County is estimated at approximately 100 acres.

McIntosh County Emergency Management reports a fire on the west side of McIntosh County in a rural area has burned approximately 1,200 acres. There are no structures in the area and the fire is burning toward the lake, so no assistance has been requested.

ADDITIONAL STATE AND LOCAL RESPONSE

Oklahoma National Guard provided four water Hippos to be positioned at the staging areas for the Rhea and 34 Complex fires.

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality is providing support to local water districts that have been impacted by the fires.

Local emergency managers from the following jurisdictions are responding to the Rhea and 34 Complex fires as part of incident command: Kingfisher County, Logan County, McClain County, City of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Pittsburg County, City of Stillwater, Tulsa County/City of Tulsa, Washington County.

ROAD CLOSURES

Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports all highways closed previously due to fire conditions are currently open.

To check CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS in Oklahoma, call ODOT's ROAD CONDITIONS HOTLINE at 844-4OK-HWYS (844-465-4997) or go to www.okroads.org. For turnpike information, call the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority at 877-403-7623 or go to www.pikepass.com.

AIR QUALITY ALERTS

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) reports there have been two air quality health advisories issued since April 13 due to smoke from wildfires. DEQ offers the following ways to stay informed when air quality conditions change.  Sign up to receive text messages and/or emails whenever DEQ issues Air Quality Health Advisories by following this link: http://www.deq.state.ok.us/aqdnew/AdvisorySignUp.htm.  DEQ will also continue to post Health Advisories on Facebook, Instagram @OklahomaDEQ, and Twitter @OklahomaDEQ.

AID FOR WILDLIFE

WildCare Foundation in Noble is reminding the public that if they find wildlife that are injured or orphaned due to the fires, they can call (405) 872-9338. WildCare will arrange transport to move the animal to their facility for rehabilitation.

HOW TO HELP – DONATION INFORMATION

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management asks the media and public to continue to share the following donations information.

When disaster strikes, the best way to support survivors of emergencies or disasters in Oklahoma is with cash donations to reputable voluntary organizations or disaster funds. Cash donations allow relief organizations or survivors to purchase what they need, when and where they need it. Buying supplies locally helps the local community recover by helping local businesses pay salaries and by keeping tax revenues in the community.

Cash donations may be sent to the following relief funds:

• Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation - Make checks payable to Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation with “Fire Relief” in the memo line and mail to P.O. Box 82395, Oklahoma City, OK 73148 or donate online at www.okcattlemen.org  

• Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers Foundation - Make checks payable to the Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers Foundation with “Wildfire Relief” in the memo line and mail to 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 or donate online at www.okfarmingandranching.org  

• Oklahoma Farmers Union Foundation - Make checks payable to Farmers Union Foundation, Inc., with “Wildfire Relief” in the memo line and mail to the attention of Wildfire Relief at P.O. Box 24000, Oklahoma City, OK 73124.

In addition, cash donations may be made to the “Fireman’s Fund” at Bank of the West in Leedey to help provide fuel to volunteer fire departments working the fires. Please make checks payable to Bank of the West, with “Fireman’s Fund” in the memo line and mail to PO Box 38, Leedey, OK 73654.

Cash donations may also be sent to volunteer fire departments, local churches, and voluntary organizations responding to the fires, including the American Red Cross and Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief.

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is organizing donations of fencing supplies, hay, supplemental livestock feed, and milk replacer for calves that lost their mothers. Anyone impacted by the fires and in need of these items may call Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension at (405) 590-0106, (405) 496-9329 or (405) 397-7912. Anyone who would like to donate the items listed above may also the numbers above to offer donations. They will match up people who have items or services to donate with producers needing help to rebuild fences, transport hay and similar farm and ranch activities.

Other donated items are not needed or requested at this time. Do not send unsolicited donations of used clothing, miscellaneous items or perishable foods, which must be sorted, warehoused, transported and distributed. This requires more efforts and staffing to manage those resources and takes away from recovery efforts.

UPDATED INFORMATION FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Oklahoma Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Scott Biggs reminds farmers and ranchers affected by the recent Northwest Oklahoma wildfires that disaster assistance programs are available to support their recovery efforts.

FSA can assist farmers and ranchers who lost livestock, grazing land, fences or eligible trees, bushes and vines as a result of a natural disaster. FSA administers a suite of safety-net programs to help producers recover from eligible losses, including the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program and the Tree Assistance Program. Detailed information on all of these disaster assistance programs can be found online at www.fsa.usda.gov/disaster.

In addition, the Emergency Conservation Program provides funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters. Producers located in counties that receive a primary or contiguous disaster designation are eligible for low-interest emergency loans to help them recover from production and physical losses. Compensation is also available to producers who purchased coverage through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, which protects non-insurable crops (including native grass for grazing) against natural disasters including excessive wind and qualifying drought that result in lower yields, crop losses or prevented planting.

STATE OF EMERGENCY

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state’s request for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) for the 34 Complex Fire in Woodward County and Rhea Fire that began in Dewey County. The grants will help reimburse local governments, volunteer fire departments and other first responders for costs associated with responding to the fires. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of state, local and tribal government eligible firefighting costs for the designated fires. Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund.

Agencies are advised to document all costs related to equipment and supplies (including fuel), labor costs, travel and per diem, temporary repairs of damage caused by firefighting activities, mobilization and demobilization. OEM will continue to assess the need for additional federal assistance.

PRICE GOUGING STATUTE IN EFFECT

The Emergency Price Stabilization Act is in effect for the 52 counties listed in the governor’s State of Emergency executive order, which prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent for the price of goods and services after a declared emergency. Additionally, the act allows the attorney general to pursue charges against individuals or businesses that engage in price gouging.

The act is in effect for 30 days after the State of Emergency. It remains in effect for another 180 days for prices for repairs, remodeling and construction. For more information or to report a complaint, individuals are encouraged to contact the Consumer Protection Unit by phone at (405) 521-2029, or email at consumerprotection@oag.ok.gov.

DIAL 211

For Oklahoma residents seeking non-emergency disaster or health and human service information, please contact your local 2-1-1. Services are available 24 hours a day by dialing 2-1-1 from your home or cellular telephone. Please only call 911 for emergencies.