Wildfire Situation Update 4

The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated due to ongoing wildfire response and recovery efforts. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers across the state and coordinating with agencies and organizations including the Oklahoma Forestry Services, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma Insurance Department, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, National Weather Service, Tribal Nations, Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, and others.

A red flag warning is in effect for much of Oklahoma until 10 p.m. on Monday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday due to gusty winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS

Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments teams including Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and local emergency management departments were in Creek, Logan, and Payne counties on Monday. Damage assessments will continue Tuesday in additional counties.

Initial damage assessments were conducted Saturday and Sunday in advance of the official review with federal partners. By Sunday afternoon, state and local emergency management staff had identified more than 400 homes damaged statewide.

RESIDENTS ASKED TO REPORT DAMAGE

To help identify all areas of damage across the state, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is asking residents impacted by wildfires and/or straight-line-winds 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 to resources. Residents can report damage to homes, businesses or agriculture through the online survey.

FATALITIES & INJURIES

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed four fatalities related to the fires or high winds:

• 1 – Lincoln County
• 1 – Garfield County
• 1 – Haskell County
• 1 – Pawnee County

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 200 injuries related to the fires and high winds have been reported by area hospitals.

• 10 – Burn
• 15 – Cut/Pierce
• 37 – Fall
• 1 – Poisoning
• 24 – Struck
• 46 – Transportation Related
• 67 – Other Fire or Wind Related

AID FOR RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY THE FIRES

Additionally, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are available to help homeowners in need of help with chainsaw or ash clean up. To request assistance, call 844-690-9198, visit okdisasterhelp.org or visit them on site at the following locations:

• FBC Mannford, 105 Greenwood Ave, Mannford, OK 74044
• Countryside Church, 2124 S. Western Rd, Stillwater, OK 74074

Oklahomans who lost food purchased with SNAP due to the fires may be eligible for replacement SNAP benefits. Report the loss within 10 days by calling 405-522-5050 or visiting an Oklahoma Human Services office. Learn more at OKDHSLive.

Oklahoma Human Services Mobile Unit will be at the Mannford High School at 219 Evans Avenue in Mannford from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday and noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesday to answer any questions about SNAP or other programs.

Use Be a Neighbor to connect with nonprofits and community organizations ready to help: BeANeighbor.org.

American Red Cross and Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief are providing meals for residents and responders in communities impacted by the fires. Since Friday, they have served 1,220 meals.

The following shelters remain open:

• First Methodist Church of Mannford, 100 E Greenwood Ave, Mannford
• Luther Community Center, 18120 Hog Back Road, Luther
• Payne County Fairgrounds, 4518 Expo Circle East, Stillwater

HOW TO HELP

For those wishing to make a donation, cash is best. Financial contributions are the fastest, most flexible and most effective method of donating to support recognized disaster relief organizations on the ground. Donate to reputable local funds, including:

• First Baptist Church Mannford - https://app.aplos.com/aws/give/FBCMannford
• United Way of Payne County - https://www.unitedwaypaynecounty.org/

You can also donate to reputable voluntary organizations supporting relief efforts, including American Red Cross, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief, and The Salvation Army.

STATE OF EMERGENCY

A State of Emergency remains in effect for 12 Oklahoma counties due to wildfires and fire weather conditions that began Friday. Under the Executive Order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary. The counties included in the governor’s declaration are: Cleveland, Creek, Dewey, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, and Stephens.

Additional counties may be added as damage assessments are completed.

FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE GRANTS SECURED

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state’s request for 13 Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs). 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. Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund.

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.

PRICE GOUGING STATUTE IN EFFECT

The Emergency Price Stabilization Act is in effect following today’s declaration of emergency for 12 counties devastated by yesterday’s wildfires. The law, also referred to as the price gouging statute, prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent for the price of goods and services and helps protect citizens from unfair price hikes. The statute is in effect for Cleveland, Creek, Dewey, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills and Stephens Counties.

DIAL 211

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 9-1-1 for emergencies.

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