WILDFIRE RISK: Oklahoma officials talk preparedness as state faces fire danger

KJRH

Officials hold wildfire preparedness briefing as state faces high fire risk day

By: Emma Burch

TULSA, Okla. — More than 180,000 acres burned as wildfires swept through the state last week, according to Governor Stitt.

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Fire warning for parts of Green Country from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Weather

Fire danger will be lower Wednesday

Michael Seger

2 News Anchor Julie Chin talked to Andy Little from the Tulsa Fire Department about how they are preparing for the fire threat:

Fire prevention on high danger days

This risk comes days after a fire burned 2,200 acres in Woodward County according to the Oklahoma Forestry Service.

2 News Oklahoma traveled to Woodward and met Zoey Webber, whose home came within inches of being destroyed by the flames. Firefighters put out the fire just in time.

Woodward residents' home saved from wildfire

"I don't think I can thank them enough. I mean, they do their jobs amazingly. I'm just, I'm so proud to have the community that I have," Webber said.

Governor Stitt said the state's unified wildfire response helped save properties and livelihoods.

His office said the conference planned for Tuesday is designed to strengthen readiness for elevated fire risks.

On Monday, Stitt signed an executive order temporarily easing certain transportation regulations to speed up the delivery of water, hay, and other livestock feed to farmers and ranchers impacted by the fires.

The damage caused by these wildfires places a heavy burden on communities across the panhandle, especially our farmers and ranchers. Oklahomans always step up for one another, and this order helps us get critical feed and water where it is needed so our producers can begin to recover.

Governor Kevin Stitt

The order suspends International Registration Plan requirements for qualifying commercial vehicles registered in one of the 48 contiguous states that are hauling livestock feed into or through Oklahoma. It also suspends oversize and overweight permitting requirements for divisible and non-divisible loads transporting agricultural feed products for emergency livestock support.