Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 8

August 9, 2012 – 5:30 p.m.

The State Emergency Operations Center has returned to normal operations today. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) remains in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas. Additionally, OEM continues to work 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 State Medical Examiner reports 1 fatality attributed to the Norman fire.

Representatives with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration joined local emergency managers today to begin 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. Assessments will continue until complete.

Anadarko Emergency Management reports a fire near Cement at County Road 1440 is threatening multiple structures. Local fire departments are responding.

Cleveland County Emergency Management reports a fire near the intersection of Banner Road and Slaughterville Road. Local fire departments are responding.

Creek County Emergency Management reports heavy rain Wednesday night helped with ongoing flare-ups in the Freedom Hills area.

Moore Emergency Management reports a fire at the intersection of Indian Hills and Sooner Road is now in mop up. No structure damage was reported.

Additional fires have been reported today in McClain County near Purcell and in Pottawatomie County.

More than 111,600 acres have burned in fires across the state since Friday.

Oklahoma Forestry Services reports:

• Blaine County/Spur Fire – 978 acres
• Caddo County Fire – 3,000 acres
• Chouteau Fire – 30 acres
• Comanche/Kiowa County Fire – 200 acres
• Creek County Fire (Freedom Hills/Mannford area) – 58,500 acres
• Cushing Fire – 1,578 acres
• Drumright – 6,493 acres
• Glencoe Fire – 6,887 acres
• Luther Fire – 2,621 acres
• Norman/Noble/Slaughterville Fire – 8,928 acres
• Okmulgee County/Nuyaka Fire – 225 acres
• Pittsburg County/Tannehill Fire – 1,000 acres
• Pittsburg County/Lick Creek Fire – 3,000 acres
• Shamrock Fire – 3,990 acres
• Stillwater Fire – 1,105 acres
• Yale Fire – 3,500 acres

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

The following American Red Cross Shelters remain open:

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

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/Freedom Hills area and Cleveland County areas 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 – First United Methodist Church – 100 E. Greenwood, Mannford
Hours: Noon-7 p.m. through Sunday

Glencoe – United Methodist Church at 113 South Perry Avenue

Hours: 10-7 p.m. 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

Strong winds and low relative humidity values have again raised the wildfire threat across much of Oklahoma today. A Red Flag Fire Warning is posted for central and southwest Oklahoma until 7pm. Temperatures will cool on Friday with highs in the mid to upper 90s. Lower wind speeds on Friday will reduce the fire threat. Temperatures will warm on Saturday and Sunday back into the upper 90’s and above. This will raise the wildfire threat yet again for parts of the state.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state’s request for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) for seven fires that occurred since July 30. 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. Eligible firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health warns that people with respiratory difficulty, such as asthma, should take the following precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by:

Reducing the amount of time spent outdoors. This can usually provide some protection, especially in a tightly closed, air-conditioned house in which the air-conditioner can be set to re-circulate air instead of bringing in outdoor air. Staying inside with the doors and windows closed can usually reduce exposure.

Reducing the amount of time engaged in vigorous outdoor physical activity. This can be an important and effective strategy to lower the dose of inhaled air pollutants and minimize health risks during a smoke event.

Reducing other sources of indoor air pollution. Many indoor sources of air pollution can emit large amounts of the same pollutants present in wildfire smoke. Indoor sources such as burning cigarettes, gas, propane and wood-burning stoves and furnaces, and activities such as cooking, burning candles and incense, and vacuuming can greatly increase the particle levels in a home and should be avoided during high pollution or when wildfire smoke is present.

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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