Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 9

August 10, 2012 – 5 p.m.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) remains in contact with emergency managers in areas affected by the wildfires. 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 August 3, 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.

Preliminary Damage Assessments continued today in Cleveland, Creek, Oklahoma and Payne counties. Representatives with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration and local emergency managers are working to determine the uninsured losses and needs of those whose homes and businesses sustained damage for potential federal disaster assistance. Assessments will continue until complete.

Additionally, the Civil Air Patrol is assisting with aerial assessment of the damage to examine fire paths and photograph damage in the counties affected. This volunteer based organization currently has three aircrews on standby to assist with additional assessments should conditions warrant.

Lincoln County Emergency Management reports a fire at the intersection of 3350 and 959 Roads is now in mop up stages. A National Guard Helicopter provided water drops to assist.

Pernell Fire Department reports an 800-acre fire in Garvin County between Lindsay and Elmore City. A National Guard Helicopter is providing water drops.

Pittsburg County Emergency Management reports two large grass fires: one east of Krebs and the other near Gaines Creek. Oklahoma Forestry Services is responding to the Gaines Creek fire with a bull dozer and a type 6 engine.

Oklahoma Forestry Services reports nearly 114,000 acres have burned in fires across the state since July 28, to include:

• Caddo County Fire – 3,000 acres
• Creek County Fire (Freedom Hills/Mannford) – 58,500 acres
• Cushing Fire – 1,628 acres
• Drumright – 6,493 acres
• Glencoe Fire – 6,887 acres
• Luther Fire – 2,621 acres
• Ninnekah Fire – 6,500 acres
• Norman/Noble/Slaughterville Fire – 8,928 acres
• Pittsburg County/Lick Creek Fire – 3,000 acres
• Shamrock Fire – 3,990 acres
• Yale Fire – 3,500 acres

An American Red Cross Shelter remains open at Mannford United Methodist, 100 E. Greenwood in Mannford.

American Red Cross reports 10 people stayed overnight at the Mannford shelter.

The Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps will continue to provide medical and mental health staff to the Mannford shelter through the weekend.

American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and Southern Baptist canteens remain on standby 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: Saturday 10-7 p.m. and Sunday 12-7 p.m. 

Glencoe – United Methodist Church at 113 South Perry Avenue

Hours: 9-3 p.m. through Friday

Noble – Twelve Corners Baptist Church at 15601 East Etowah Road

Hours: Friday 10-6 p.m.; Saturday 10-7 p.m.; Sunday Noon-7 p.m.

The Oklahoma Animal Alliance is providing the following services for animals displaced by the Creek County wildfires:

• Connecting lost animals with owners by allowing people to post pictures on Facebook
• Distributing  and accepting donated pet food and supplies
• Setting up animal foster placement for people who have lost their homes
• Maintaining a registry of people who are willing to foster displaced pets

Temperatures will warm on Saturday and Sunday into the upper 90s and above across much of Oklahoma. Afternoon relative humidity values will again reach the teens. This combined with increasing winds Saturday afternoon and Sunday will result in very high to critical fire danger across parts of Oklahoma. A Fire Weather Watch is posted for western and northwest Oklahoma on Saturday. Additional advisories may be needed for Sunday. Hot temperatures will continue Monday through Wednesday with at least very high fire danger expected each day.

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.

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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Next Situation Update: Monday or as conditions warrant