WILDFIRES IMPACTING STATE

Due to high fire danger across the state, the State Emergency Operations Center is at Level Two activation today. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas. Additionally, OEM is working with the Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Forestry Division, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

FIRES

The Comanche County/Kiowa County fire is still active. An Oklahoma National Guard helicopter is providing water drops near Cooperton for this fire. Approximately 28,000 acres have burned.

Lincoln County reports a fire seven miles south of Stroud on the Lincoln County/Creek County line.

Okfuskee County Emergency Management reports a fire in Haydenville at Hwy 56 and Mason Road. All local resources are responding. One barn has burned and two homes are threatened. Forestry is sending additional ground firefighting resources.

Okmulgee County Emergency Management reports a wildfire near Henryetta south of I-40. Six fire departments are responding with approximately 20 firefighters.

Pottawatomie County Emergency Management reports homes have been evacuated in Earlsboro due to a large wildfire. Cleveland County Task Force is responding and an Oklahoma National Guard helicopter is en route to provide water drops.

Seminole County Emergency Management reports a large wildfire six miles northeast of Seminole. At least two structures are threatened. McClain County and Del City task forces are responding and a helicopter from the Bureau of Indian Affairs is in en route to provide water drops.

Additional fires have been reported in Grant, Creek and Lincoln counties earlier in the day.

RESOURCE REQUESTS

OEM is working in conjunction with State Forestry officials to deploy Oklahoma National Guard helicopters for aerial fire support. Oklahoma Forestry Division is providing ground firefighting support and is working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs for additional aerial fire support. Water drops are being provided today on fires in Kiowa, Pottawatomie and Seminole counties.

MASS CARE

American Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at Tecumseh City Hall at 114 N. Broadway Street, Tecumseh, OK.

Additionally, American Red Cross is providing canteens and volunteers to support firefighters in the affected areas. The Salvation Army is standing by to provide canteens as needed.

STAY SAFE

Fire danger is high to very high across the state and numerous burn bans remain in effect, Oklahoma Forestry Services reports. Oklahomans are reminded to obey outdoor burning bans. Don’t burn trash or debris when conditions are dry or windy. Unsafe burning of leaves, brush, household trash and other debris is a major cause of wildfires in Oklahoma and under these conditions any fire can threaten homes and communities.

For more information on how you can prepare for wildfires, go to the Oklahoma Forestry Services’ website forestry.ok.gov.

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Next Situation Update: As conditions warrant