Wildfire Situation Update 2
February 28, 2024 – 4:45 p.m.
WILDFIRES IMPACTING STATE
The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated as a result of wildfires that occurred Monday and Tuesday. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas and is coordinating with Oklahoma Forestry Services, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, National Weather Service, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).
INJURIES
According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, four injuries related to the fires have been reported by area hospitals.
- Heat-related illness – 1
- Transportation related – 3
FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE GRANT SECURED
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state’s request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Catesby Fire in Ellis County.
The FMAG may help reimburse local governments, volunteer fire departments and other first responders for costs associated with responding to the fires. 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.
Fire departments and other agencies that responded to the Catesby Fire are advised to document all costs related to equipment and supplies (including fuel), labor costs, travel and per diem, temporary repairs of damage caused by firefighting activities, mobilization, and demobilization.
MASS CARE
Oklahoma State Department of Health reports eight patients from Newman Memorial Hospital and 46 residents from Shattuck Nursing Center were returned to those locations earlier today following yesterday’s evacuations. The Regional Emergency Medical System provided transportation for the evacuations.
All evacuation shelters are now closed.
FIRE UPDATES
Emergency managers report 13 homes burned in the fires:
Beaver County – 3 homes (2 were uninhabited)
Ellis County – 9 homes
Roger Mills County – 1 home
Numerous additional structures also burned. Damage assessments are ongoing.
Oklahoma Forestry Services Situation Report includes more specific fire information.
DIAL 211
For Oklahoma residents seeking non-emergency disaster or health and human service information, please contact 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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