WILDFIRES IMPACTING STATE
The State Emergency Operations Center is activated due to wildfires and extreme fire danger 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).
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until midnight for many counties in western Oklahoma.
MASS CARE
Evacuation shelters are open at the following locations:
- Woodward Pioneer Room, 1209 9th Street in Woodward
- Faith United Methodist Church, 1402 Texas Ave in Woodward
American Red Cross is providing food for responders tonight in Woodward and Woods counties.
FIRE REPORTS
The State Emergency Operations Center received eight fire reports today from six counties.
Woodward County Emergency Management reports a large wildfire in southern Woodward County prompted evacuations near Sharon. An Oklahoma Forestry Services Fire Suppression Group is on scene to provide firefighting support and coordination. Forestry aircraft provided additional assistance with fire suppression. County Wildfire Task Forces from Woodward, Ellis, Dewey, Garfield, Grant, and Major counties are also responding.
Woods County Emergency Management Reports a large fire with all Woods County fire departments responding.
Additional fires have been reported today in Blaine, Dewey, Kay, Roger Mills, Woods, and Woodward counties.
FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE GRANTS REQUESTED
The State has requested a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the 57 Fire in Woodward County.
If approved, the FMAG may help reimburse local governments, volunteer fire departments and other first responders for eligible 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.
FMAGs must be requested when the fire is burning out of control in order to prevent the need for a FEMA Major Disaster Declaration.
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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