Copyright 2005 Dolan Media Newswires
By JEFF PACKMAN
Journal Record Legislative Report (Oklahoma)
Wildfires that have spread through at least 16 Oklahoma counties may continue to move across the state as dry conditions and high winds are forecast for another one or two weeks, officials announced Wednesday at the state Capitol.
Secretary of Agriculture Terry Peach said fire departments were traveling throughout the state to assist with wildfires that came about after high winds combined with monthlong drought conditions. Albert Ashwood, director of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, said weather forecasts for the next couple of weeks don’t leave officials feeling optimistic.
“This event is going to proceed,” Ashwood said. “We don’t know how long.”
No rain is forecast through at least Sunday while winds are expected to continue to gust at 15 to 25 miles per hour. Ashwood said officials were working to gain some federal funding for those people trying to contain the fires in areas throughout the state.
Four fire suppression grants have been requested, including one for assistance in Mayes County and Stephens County that has already been approved. The grants provide funding reimbursements for up to 75 percent of the emergency management costs.
Ashwood said three other counties could receive funds through FEMA to reimburse the firefighting efforts and said additional requests could take place as the fires continue to move through the state. Gov. Brad Henry has already declared a statewide emergency due to the dry, windy conditions that provide ideal conditions for the spread of fire.
Several legislators discussed the role of volunteer fire departments in preventing the spread of the fires, especially in Stephens County. State Sen. Daisy Lawler, D-Comanche, said the volunteer firefighters were able to prevent the loss of more than pasture land while House Minority Leader Jari Askins, D-Duncan, said a major disaster was avoided in Velma when the fires were prevented from reaching oilfields.
“We narrowly averted a huge disaster in this state,” Askins said.
Lawler encouraged ranchers and farmers to contact the Department of Agriculture to learn more about what could be done to assist with hay and other fire damage issues.