Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 6

August 7, 2012 – 9:30 p.m.

Due to ongoing fires, the State Emergency Operations Center remains activated. 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, Oklahoma State Department of Health, American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

A statewide Burn Ban is in effect. This ban, issued by Gov. Mary Fallin on Friday, supersedes all county burn bans currently in place and remains in place until conditions improve and it is removed by the Governor. For a copy of the current burn ban resolution or for the most up-to-date information go to: www.forestry.ok.gov/burn-ban-information.

A State of Emergency remains in place for all 77 Oklahoma counties as declared on July 30 by Gov. Mary Fallin due to extreme or exceptional drought conditions. The Executive Order allows state agencies to make emergency purchases related to disaster relief and preparedness. It is also a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary. Under the executive order, the State of Emergency lasts for 30 days.

The Oklahoma Medical Examiner reports 1 fatality attributed to the Norman fire.

Creek County Emergency Management reports the Mannford/Freedom Hills fire is still active in some areas. Fire crews are fighting hot spots through other areas of the fire. State Forestry Services and Bureau of Indian Affairs are still assisting on scene. Ottawa/Delaware County and Craig County strike teams assisted throughout the day as well.

Comanche County Emergency Management reports two fires today are now in mop up stages - one on Fort Sill east range the second about 3 miles north of Medicine Park. Suspected cause is lightning strike.

Lincoln County Emergency Management reports a wildfire about 6 miles south of Stroud is already in mop up after a sudden rainstorm. Suspected cause is lighting strike.

Norman Emergency Management reports a rekindle of the fire near Little Axe earlier this evening. Thunderbird Casino was evacuated and Highway 9 was temporarily closed. The fire is now in mop up after a sudden rainstorm.

More than 103,200 acres have burned in fires across the state since Friday.

Oklahoma Forestry Services reports:

• Chouteau Fire – 30 acres
• Creek County Fire (Freedom Hills/Mannford area) – 58,232 acres
• Cushing Fire – 1,578 acres
• Drumright – 6,493 acres
• Glencoe Fire – 6,887 acres
• Luther Fire – 2,600 acres
• Norman/Noble/Slaughterville Fire – 8,913 acres
• Pittsburg County Fire – 1,000 acres
• Shamrock Fire – 3,990 acres
• Stillwater Fire – 1,105 acres
• Yale Fire – 2,823 acres

Grady County Emergency Management reports 9,600 acres have burned in the Ninnekah fire.

The following American Red Cross Shelters remain open:

• Slaughterville Baptist Church – 10101 60th Street, Lexington
• Mannford United Methodist – 100 E. Greenwood, Mannford

American Red Cross reports 7 people stayed overnight at the Sand Springs shelter, which has now been relocated to Mannford, 1 person stayed overnight at the Cushing shelter which is now closed and 6 people stayed overnight at the Slaughterville shelter.

The Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps (OKMRC) volunteers have been assisting American Red Cross with staffing for shelters in Choctaw, Mannford, and Slaughterville. OKMRC has provided an average of two medical personnel and at least one mental health provider per shift at each shelter.

The Salvation Army and Southern Baptist canteens remain on stand-by for their services as needed to support first responders across the State.

Additionally, Southern Baptist Relief will have Ash Out crews in the Mannford area to help residents who need assistance clearing ash and debris from their properties.

Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) are opening at the following locations across the state to allow citizens that have been impacted by the wildfires to receive assistance and information from various agencies including non-profit and faith based organizations.

Mannford – Lake Church at 35903 Hwy 51

Hours: 12-7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8; Thursday through Saturday 10-7 p.m.

Hours beyond Saturday TBD

Luther – Luther High School auditorium at 178th and Luther Rd

Hours: 8-5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8

Hours beyond Wednesday TBD

Glencoe – United Methodist Church at 113 South Perry Avenue

Hours: 12–8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 7; Wednesday through Friday, 10-7 p.m.

Noble – Twelve Corners Baptist Church at 15601 East Etowah Road

Hours: 10-6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7 through Saturday, August 18

Hours beyond Saturday TBD

A few thunderstorms have been occurring across the state this evening and potential remains for more storms on Wednesday. Rain chances will decrease Thursday into Friday. Temperatures will be in the 100-105 degree range through Friday. A brief decrease in temperature is expected Saturday and Sunday, with highs in the mid to upper 90s. Fire danger will be very high across the state Wednesday through Friday.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state’s request for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) for seven fires that occurred during the last week. The grants will help reimburse local governments, volunteer fire departments and other first responders for costs associated with responding to the fires. FMAGs were secured for the July 30 fire in Stillwater, the August 2 fire in Geary, the August 3 fires in Luther, Noble/Slaughterville and Creek County, and the August 4 fires in Drumright and Glencoe. 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 and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. OEM will continue to assess the need for additional federal assistance.

Oklahoma attorneys are stepping up to help those affected by the recent wildfires. Through a program coordinated by the Oklahoma Bar Association, volunteer attorneys will offer no-cost assistance to Oklahomans who experience legal issues related directly to the fires. The free service begins immediately, and is available to residents of Beckham, Cleveland, Creek, Grady, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Payne and Pittsburg counties. Attorneys volunteering through the program will answer questions about insurance claims, landlord-tenant law, repair contracts, consumer protection, mortgage foreclosure and replacement of vital legal documents that burned. Victims may request help at www.okbar.org/DisasterRelief or call (800) 522-8065 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The services will be available for the next 90 days.

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.

###