Gov. Fallin Tours Wildfire Damage In Western Oklahoma

<p>Gov. Mary Fallin traveled to western Oklahoma, Monday, to view the damage caused by the &ldquo;historic&rdquo; wildfires last week.</p>

Monday, April 23rd 2018, 12:10 pm



Governor Mary Fallin visited Northwest Oklahoma Wednesday to explain how the state will assist in the healing process

The governor viewed the damage from above in a helicopter and briefly met with firefighters who are finally getting a bit of a break as they enter the recovery process.

“There are people that lost their cattle or lost out buildings and they’re struggling,” Fallin said.

Although weekend rain worked wonders, the governor’s burn ban remains in effect for most western counties.

Read Related Story: Red Flag Warning In Effect For Most Of Western OK

“We monitor it kind of week by week just to see what the weather’s going to be doing,” Fallin said.

First responders with Oklahoma Forestry Services are one agency watching the weather. 

“Another round of moisture with some warmer temperatures, we would expect to see a flush of green,” Drew Daily, with the fire staff of Forestry Services said.

However, crews are still fighting the flames.

Forestry Services said the Rhea fire is 74 percent contained, and the 34 Complex fire is at 94 percent.

Meanwhile, state emergency managers are surveying the damage with federal emergency managers.

Read Related Story: State Agencies Waiting To Assess Damage From ‘Historic Wildfires’ 

“We’ll be going around looking at each individual home. Absolutely,” State Emergency Management Director Albert Ashwood said.

Fallin said she hopes FEMA will be able to help out Oklahomans who have lost homes or livestock.

“FEMA will be taking the information we gather from the local people that are coming in here,” Fallin said.

Anyone with damage is encouraged to report it to Oklahoma Emergency Management online or in person.

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