9:45 p.m. Update
WILDFIRES IMPACTING STATE
Due to high fire danger, wildfires, and high winds across the state, the State Emergency Operations Center activated yesterday, February 16. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers across the state and coordinating with agencies and organizations including Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma Forestry Services, Oklahoma Insurance Department, Oklahoma National Guard, National Weather Service, Tribal Nations, Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, and others.
RESIDENTS ASKED TO REPORT DAMAGES
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 and can help connect residents with resources. Residents can report damage to homes, businesses or agriculture through the online survey.
FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE GRANTS SECURED
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state’s request for 3 Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) for the Stevens Fire in Texas County, the Ranger Road Fire in Beaver County, and the 43 Fire in Woodward County.
The FMAGs 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.
Fire departments and other agencies that responded to the fires above 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
Evacuation shelters are open at the following locations.
- Cheyenne & Arapaho ERC, Woodward, OK
- Mooreland Community Centers, 105 SE Fifth St., Mooreland, OK
- Mooreland United Methodist Church, 302 S. Elm, Mooreland, OK
American Red Cross provided food for evacuees at Oklahoma shelters.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief provided food for responders in Beaver, Texas, and Woodward counties.
INJURIES
Four firefighters were injured in Beaver County.
- OHP reported a fire truck from Rosston Fire overturned in Beaver County, injuring 3 firefighters. They were transported to local hospitals.
- Oklahoma Forestry Services reported a local firefighter was injured and transported to an area hospital earlier today.
FIRE REPORTS
Beaver County Emergency Management reports evacuations were issued for the Gate community earlier today as a result of the Ranger Road Fire. Numerous outbuildings were destroyed in the fire.
Texas County Emergency Management reports evacuations were issued for the Town of Tyrone earlier today due to the Stevens Fire. A second fire called the Side Road Fire started nearby as a result of a seven-vehicle accident on US 54. The county reports 5 structures were destroyed in the fires.
Woodward Emergency Management reports evacuation orders have been lifted for the Woodward area due to the 43 Fire. Three structures were destroyed including two at a USDA facility.
Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS) fire suppression teams responded to the fires in Beaver, Texas, and Woodward counties. OFS reports the following estimates:
- Ranger Road Fire, Beaver Counties - 145,000 acres burned in Oklahoma and Kansas
- Stevens Fire, Texas Counties - 5,000 acres burned
- Side Road Fire, Texas Counties - 3,300 acres burned
- 43 Road Fire, Woodward Counties - 2,000 acres burned
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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