April 7, 2024 – 1 p.m.
WILDFIRES IMPACTING STATE
The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated due to ongoing wildfires and near-critical wildfire risk in western Oklahoma. 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
Woodward County Emergency Management reports two firefighters were injured yesterday in the 57 Fire near Sharon.
MASS CARE
American Red Cross provided food for responders in Woodward, Woods, and Blaine counties yesterday evening.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief also provided meals last night and will provide lunch for firefighters today in Woodward County.
FIRE REPORTS
Woodward County Emergency Management reports no inhabited homes have been destroyed in the 57 Fire. County wildfire task forces from Alfalfa, Logan, and Washington counties are assisting with the fire today. Two Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS) Fire Suppression Teams are also on scene. Air Tankers used to provide fire suppression support yesterday evening were successful in protecting several structures. OFS reports approximately 5,000 acres have burned and the fire was 0% contained this morning.
Woods County Emergency Management Reports a large fire at County Road 430 and Harmon Road has flared up again. All Woods County fire departments are responding.
Oklahoma Forestry Services and county officials are flying over the fires today to map the perimeter and gather additional information on hot spots and/or damages.
FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE GRANTS SECURED
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state’s request for a Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) for the 57 Fire in Woodward 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 57 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.
RESIDENTS ASKED TO REPORT DAMAGE
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is asking residents impacted by the fires to report damages to their property at damage.ok.gov. Reporting damage helps local and state emergency managers better coordinate response and recovery efforts. Residents can report damage to homes, businesses or agriculture through the online survey.
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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