Wildfires impact western Oklahoma

Several dangerous wildfires are impacting those who live in western Oklahoma this week.
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Here are the latest updates from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management:

WILDFIRES IMPACTING STATE

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for today, April 17th, from 11 a.m. to midnight for a large portion of western Oklahoma. The affected area and the extreme conditions will exist near and west of a line from Alfalfa County to Cotton County. New fires will likely exhibit explosive rapid rates of spread. Ongoing fires will require extensive patrol and mop up to prevent escape. Fire danger near and west of a line extending from Alfalfa County to Cotton County is forecast to exceed any fire

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weather conditions seen in over ten years. In this area this afternoon relative humidity values will dip into the low single digits. Southwest winds are forecast to be sustained at 25-35 mph with 50+ mph gusts in many areas.

Temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 80s to mid-90s.

SPECIAL NOTE TO FIREFIGHTERS - Wildland fuels in western Oklahoma remain critically dry. The chance for any ember or spark to start a fire today is 100 percent. Direct attack on the head of the fire will be impossible today and would be a life-threatening venture. Spread rates and flame lengths on the head of any fire will likely exceed anything experienced this year. Direct attack/Indirect attack on the flanks coupled with indirect attack on a wildfire’s head coupled with fuel type or terrain changes will offer the highest probability of success.

SPECIAL NOTE TO THE PUBLIC – In order to minimize the threat to life and property, please refrain from any outdoor activity that would spark a wildfire. Have a plan ready to guide your actions in the event a wildfire approaches your home. ABSOLUTELY NO OUTDOOR BURNING TODAY IN WESTERN OKLAHOMA AND IN THE AREAS COVERED BY THE GOVERNOR’S BURN BAN!

Sunday update from Oklahoma Forestry Services:

STATE OF EMERGENCY

A State of Emergency remains in effect for 52 Oklahoma counties due to ongoing wildfires and critical fire weather conditions that began Thursday. 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.

Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cimarron, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Jefferson, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Logan, Major, Noble, Oklahoma, Osage, Pawnee, Roger Mills, Stephens, Texas, Tillman, Washita, Woods and Woodward counties.

Additional county burn bans are in place for Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cimarron, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Jefferson, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Logan, Major, Noble, Oklahoma, Osage, Pawnee, Roger Mills, Stephens, Texas, Tillman, Washita, Woods and Woodward counties.

Outdoor burning and other activities that could spark a fire are strongly discouraged. Do not throw cigarettes out car windows. Report any suspicious smoke or fires to your local law enforcement or fire authority.

INJURIES AND FATALITIES

Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports a 61-year-old man died Thursday in Roger MIlls County as a result of injuries sustained in the fire that began southeast of Leedey.

Dewey County Sheriff reports a woman died in her vehicle at a residence near Seiling as a result of the Rhea Fire.

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, seven injuries have been reported by area hospitals:

Smoke inhalation – 3
Heat-related injuries - 6

SHELTERS AND MASS CARE

All shelters are now closed but could reopen if conditions warrant. Four guests stayed in the shelter at Martha Road Baptist Church in Altus last night.

American Red Cross and Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief continue to provide meals to firefighters and residents impacted by the fires.

FIRE REPORTS

Rhea Fire – Oklahoma Forestry Services sent two Super Scoopers to assist with fire suppression efforts. This fire, which started in Dewey County and has now moved into Custer and Woodward counties is estimated at 245,433 acres.

34 Complex Fire – Oklahoma Forestry Services reports one Type 1 Helicopter is on scene to assist with fire suppression efforts on the 34 Complex Fire in Woodward County. Three county task forces and one Forestry task force are also responding. The fire is now estimated at 67,778 acres.

Martha Fire – A fire in Martha in Jackson County damaged or destroyed numerous structures (homes and/or outbuildings) Saturday. Damage assessments are ongoing.

Additional fires reported today include two fires in Caddo County, one east of Cement and one east southeast of Carnegie and a fire in Woods County near Waynoka.

HOW TO HELP – DONATION INFORMATION

When disaster strikes, the best way to support survivors of emergencies or disasters in Oklahoma is with cash donations to reputable voluntary organizations or disaster funds. Cash donations allow relief organizations or survivors to purchase what they need, when and where they need it. Buying supplies locally helps the local community recover by helping local businesses pay salaries and by keeping tax revenues in the community.

Cash donations may be sent to the following relief funds:

Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation - Make checks payable to Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation with “Fire Relief” in the memo line and mail to P.O. Box 82395, Oklahoma City, OK 73148 or donate online at www.okcattlemen.org
Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers Foundation - Make checks payable to the Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers Foundation with “Wildfire Relief” in the memo line and mail to 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 or donate online at www.okfarmingandranching.org
Oklahoma Farmers Union Foundation - Make checks payable to Farmers Union Foundation, Inc., with “Wildfire Relief” in the memo line and mail to the attention of Wildfire Relief at P.O. Box 24000, Oklahoma City, OK 73124.

Cash donations may also be sent to volunteer fire departments, local churches, and voluntary organizations responding to the fires, including the American Red Cross and Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief.

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is organizing donations of fencing supplies, hay, supplemental livestock feed, and milk replacer for calves that lost their mothers. Anyone impacted by the fires and in need of these items may call Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension at (405) 590-0106, (405) 496-9329 or (405) 397-7912. Anyone who would like to donate the items listed above may also the numbers above to offer donations. They will match up people who have items or services to donate with producers needing help to rebuild fences, transport hay and similar farm and ranch activities.

Other donated items are not needed or requested at this time. Do not send unsolicited donations of used clothing, miscellaneous items or perishable foods, which must be sorted, warehoused, transported and distributed. This requires more efforts and staffing to manage those resources and takes away from recovery efforts.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS

Information for farmers or ranchers with livestock, crop, hay, fence, equipment, or other losses is available on the following USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Public Assistance Fact Sheet:
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/2017/lip_fact_sheet_oct2017.pdf

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry recommends producers who have lost livestock should contact their County FSA as soon as possible to see if assistance may be available. County FSA contact information is available at https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=ok&agency=fsa

Orphaned Calf Relief of southwest Kansas is willing to take in orphaned calves. The calves will be returned to the producer at no cost. Oklahoma cow-calf producers impacted by recent wildfires are asked to please call (405) 590-0106 as soon as possible.

FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE GRANTS SECURED

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state’s request for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) for the 34 Complex Fire in Woodward County and Rhea Fire that began in Dewey County. The grants will 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.

Agencies 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. OEM will continue to assess the need for additional federal assistance.

BURN BAN REMAINS IN EFFECT

The Governor’s Burn Ban remains in effect for 16 counties: Beaver, Beckham, Cimarron, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Kiowa, Roger Mills, Texas, Washita, Woods, and Woodward. Additional county burn bans are in place for the following counties: Alfalfa, Canadian, Grant, and Major.

PRICE GOUGING STATUTE IN EFFECT

The Emergency Price Stabilization Act is in effect for the 52 counties listed in the governor’s State of Emergency executive order, which prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent for the price of goods and services after a declared emergency. Additionally, the act allows the attorney general to pursue charges against individuals or businesses that engage in price gouging.

The act is in effect for 30 days after the State of Emergency. It remains in effect for another 180 days for prices for repairs, remodeling and construction. For more information or to report a complaint, individuals are encouraged to contact the Consumer Protection Unit by phone at (405) 521-2029, or email at consumerprotection@oag.ok.gov.

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 911 for emergencies.

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