SITUATION UPDATE

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 2

March 6 – 5:45 p.m.

Due to high fire danger and ongoing wildfires across the state today, the State Emergency Operations Center is activated. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas and is coordinating with Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Forestry Services Division, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, National Weather Service, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Fire Warning for much of western Oklahoma until 8 p.m. today. Temperatures in the 70s and 80s along with winds gusting to 50 mph and low relative humidity values are creating dangerous fire conditions. A high wind warning is in effect for Ellis, Harper, Woods and Woodward counties in northwest Oklahoma until 7 p.m. today.

Outdoor burning and other activities that could spark a fire are strongly discouraged. Do not throw cigarettes out car windows. Report any suspicious smoke or fires to your local law enforcement or fire authority.

Additionally, severe thunderstorms are expected into the evening hours across parts of eastern Oklahoma. Primary threats are large hail to golf ball size and winds to 70 mph.

Payne County Emergency Management reports a fire moving northeast. Kingfisher and Noble counties are providing task forces to support the fire response. Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS) is providing one Type 1 helicopter for fire suppression. This fire originally started in Logan County near Langston.

Beaver County Emergency Management reports a large fire east of Forgan. OFS reports 10,000 acres have already burned in Oklahoma and 40,000 acres have burned in Kansas. An OFS task force and Type 1 helicopter have assisted with this fire.

Harper County Emergency Manager reports multiple fires have been reported near Laverne and Buffalo. The Laverne fire later moved into Woodward County. OFS is providing one Type 1 helicopter and one task force to assist. The Freedom, Dacoma and Greenleaf fire departments from Woods County responded to the fire. Major and Custer counties also sent task forces to assist with Harper and Woodward county fires.

Mayes County Emergency Management reports a fire northeast of Spavinaw. OFS has fire teams on scene to assist with fire suppression.

Additional fires have been reported today in Beckham, Okmulgee, Osage, Stephens, Texas and Woods counties.

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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