March 3, 2024

USA: 40 Wildfires Scorced More Than 158,000 Acres In The State Of Oklahoma. Hundreds Of Cattle Died. Governor Said Fires Have Not Met Threshold For FEMA Help. More Devastation Required. Unreal.

I took these screenshots from an interactive map on The Oklahoman fire tracker.
I zoomed in to Oklahoma and Texas panhandle. But look to the south cluster.
Woah 😱 what the hell is going on in Canada. It's being scorced.
KJRH -TV | Tulsa channel 2 February 29, 2024: 'A real concern' for wildfires as small fires continue to stress local volunteer firefighters. Wildfires wreaking havoc in the Texas panhandle and seeping into western Oklahoma put state leaders on alert, but the danger is already in Green Country, according to fire and emergency officials. Oklahoma State Forester Mark Goeller told 2 News the risk increased earlier than expected. “Over into Mayes and Muskogee (counties) and some of Wagoner, we had 60 fires that burned 7,777 acres," Goeller said. "That's just what Oklahoma Forestry Services recorded.” 2 News' Samson Tamijani reports.

Fox23 News, Tulsa, OK local
written by Jennah James
Sunday March 3, 2024

OKMULGEE COUNTY, Okla. — Hundreds of acres are scorched after a fire tore through Okmulgee County.

Dry and windy conditions caused a controlled burn get out of hand Saturday afternoon, leading to 900 acres being burned near Ferguson Road and Bixby Road in Okmulgee County.

Multiple fire departments from different agencies showed up to put the fire out.

Okmulgee County Emergency Management said that there were hot spots into the night that they were working to contain.

Andy James with Oklahoma Forestry Services said Oklahoma has ranked in the top 10 in the country in number of wildfires and number of acres burned.

He said since Feb. 24, 40 wildfires have burned more than 158,000 acres in the state.

“In less than a week, we burned over our 5-year annual average, and we still have the rest of March to go, and I’ve seen years where we go really deep into April, and so you know, we’re not out of the fight yet,” James said.

James said that mutual aid is essential in rounding up enough resources to keep the fire contained.

Bixby Fire Department is one of nearly a dozen different agencies that responded to the fire in Okmulgee County.

“We’ll usually send in several guys out there to take rotations on things like that. Wildfires are more of a marathon than a sprint. So, it takes a little while, it takes a lot of resources to do that,” said Bixby Firefighter Easton Meaux.

Through partnership, Oklahoma Forestry Services is bringing in equipment from Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky to fight fires across the state.

James recommends to have a plan in place before you’re in the fire’s path.

“Make sure that you know your evacuation route. Have an emergency plan in place where if you have belongings, paperwork, you know obviously family members, pets, different things like that, game all that stuff out and figure out where you’re going to go to be safe,” James said.

Oklahoma Forestry Services said to not use a garden hose as the fire approaches, thinking you can extinguish it yourself. They said that the conditions are dangerous to seasoned firefighters, and the focus should be safety.

Okmulgee County Emergency Management shared a list of beneficial items that are commonly used at all fire departments and said donations are greatly appreciated anytime.

Items on the list include:
  • Bottled Water
  • Gatorade/Powerade
  • Non-Perishable Snack Items
  • Granola Bars, Assorted Nuts, Packaged Crackers, Protein Bars
  • Mints/Gum
  • Baby Wipes
  • Chapstick
  • Eye Drops
  • Nasal Spray
  • Tylenol / Ibuprofen
  • Zip Lock Bags-Gallon & Sandwich Size
  • Grocery Store Gift Cards or Visa Gift Cards (so that sandwich and fresh food items can be purchased as needed during fires)
OCEM said donations are accepted at their office as they are used for rehab of first responders on fire scenes and other events. 
News 9 YouTube published February 28, 2024: 'A Wall Of Flames:' Western Oklahoma Wildfires Devastate Homes. Fire raced across the land in western Oklahoma on Monday. The flames took down houses one by one.
KOCO 5 News published February 28, 2024: Homes damaged and destroyed in western Oklahoma wildfires.
KOCO 5 News published February 29, 2024: Oklahoma wildfires taking large toll on ranchers' livelihoods as flames claim cattle's lives.

KFOR4 News, Oklahoma local
written by Staff
Sunday March 3, 2024

OKLAHOMA COUNTY, Oklahoma – Governor Kevin Stitt released a statement Sunday afternoon in response to the thousands of acres burned throughout Oklahoma from the wildfires.
“I am watching the wildfire activity in western Oklahoma closely and working with the Department of Emergency Management and Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to ensure the right resources are being deployed for those impacted. As emergency crews continue to fight the fires and we survey the damage, I encourage Oklahomans to do what we do best – help out our neighbors. As you do, follow instructions from your local authorities and stay safe.”

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT (R)
The governor added that at this time the fires have not met the threshold for FEMA funding.

He added that USDA Farm Service Agency Disaster Assistance Programs could be available for anyone who has suffered agricultural losses from the fires.

As of Sunday, the massive Smokehouse fire, burning in both Texas and Oklahoma, has scorched 1,078,086 acres with 60% containment, according to the Oklahoma Forestry Service.

Other fires include the Cabin Fire in Adair County burning 109 acres with 50% containment, the un-named Yet Fire in Okmulgee County at 900 acres burning, the Catesby Fire in Ellis County which burned 90,920 acres with 40% containment, and then the Slapout Fire in Beaver County which is at 26,048 acres with 75% containment.
KOCO 5 News published March 3, 2024: Piedmont business hauls hay bales to ranchers impacted by western Oklahoma wildfires.

KOCO5 News, Oklahoma local
written by Dacoda Wahpekeche
Sunday March 3, 2024

PIEDMONT, Okla. — Firefighters in northwest Oklahoma were still working to get wildfires fully contained this weekend as high-risk fire weather was still impacting the state.

Central Oklahoma residents stepped in to help the ranchers in need after the wildfires burned land and homes, as well as killed cattle in the northwest part of the state. Leaders with Rock'n M Meats in Piedmont began taking hay bales and many other supplies to those impacted by the fires.

Food sources for cattle in Ellis County have been turned to ash over the past week, making it difficult for owners to feed their livestock. Rock'n M Meats, a Piedmont-based farm and business, has now made a goal to send more than 200 haybales to Ellis County.

It all started when a fellow rancher reached out with a trailer that could haul hay.

"He kind of threw this idea at me about coming together and shipping hay out to western sides of the state to help out the livestock that's still alive," said the owner of the company. "As Oklahomans, we've always been taught to reach out and help."

The owner said they are expecting to continue to ship hay for more than a month.

They have set up a GoFundMe for those interested in donating to the cause.

UPDATE 3/3/24 at 8:03pm: Added info below. 😧😬😩

Posted by Princess Mononoke at 7:44 PM

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