Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 7

August 8, 2012 – 5:30 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: http://www.forestry.ok.gov/burn-ban-info.

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 State Medical Examiner reports 1 fatality attributed to the Norman fire.

On Thursday, representatives with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration will join local emergency managers in conducting preliminary damage assessments in Cleveland, Creek, Oklahoma and Payne counties for potential federal disaster assistance. The teams will work to determine the uninsured losses and needs of those whose homes and businesses sustained damage.

Creek County Emergency Management reports a new fire at Highway 16 between 401 and 403 roads is now contained. Bristow, Shamrock, and Drumright fire departments responded as well as a strike team from Ottawa County and a dozer from State Forestry Services.

Elk City Fire Department reports a fire near Elk City on the I-40 access road between mile markers 50 and 52. Fire departments from Elk City, Canute and Foss are responding.  

Lincoln County Emergency Management reports a large fire southeast of Stroud has rekindled. Several structures are threatened with at least one destroyed.  A National Guard helicopter is providing water drops.

Norman Emergency Management reports Tuesday evening’s fire at Little Axe is in mop up stages.

Pittsburg County Emergency Management reports a fire at McAlester Road in the Tannehill area is still active. Another fire at Rockford Road is now out.

Two additional fires have been reported in Noble County. Local fire departments are responding.

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 10 people stayed overnight at the Mannford shelter and 3 people stayed overnight at the Slaughterville shelter.

American Red Cross, 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) remain open 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 – Open today until 7 p.m.

New location beginning Thursday: First United Methodist Church – 100 E. Greenwood, Mannford
Hours: 10-7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday

Hours beyond Saturday TBD

Glencoe – United Methodist Church at 113 South Perry Avenue

Hours: 10-7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday

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

Very high to critical fire danger is expected on Thursday as winds increase and relative humidity values decrease across central, northern Oklahoma. Temperatures will again be in the upper 90s to 105 degree range across the state. A cold front is expected in northern Oklahoma on Thursday but this boundary will not reduce wildfire potential as it will be accompanied by strong winds. Lower temperatures are expected Friday through Sunday across the state with mid to upper 90 degree highs. The wildfire danger will continue to be very high Friday and Saturday. Even though temperatures will cool slightly, relative humidity values will remain low during the afternoon and early evening hours.

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.

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.

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