Wildfires caused by extreme winds caused havoc in our communities. Here’s info if you’ve been affected and how you can help!
Visit the Oklahoma American Red Cross HERE!
Info on shelters and more below from our friends at FOX25.
OKLAHOMA — The American Red Cross of Oklahoma provided an update on its disaster relief efforts after wildfires in multiple counties.
According to the Red Cross, 50 disaster workers are on the ground to support Oklahoma communities.
Since the fires began on Friday, the Red Cross has provided approximately 160 overnight shelter stays and served almost 1,220 meals.
Although evacuation centers are closed at this time, several shelters remain open for residents displaced and in need of services.
The shelters open for wildfire victims can be found at:
- Payne County Fairgrounds Community Building: 4518 Expo Circle E, Stillwater
- Luther Community Center: 18120 Hog Back Road, Luther
- First Methodist Church of Mannford: 100 Greenwood E Avenue, Mannford
- Grand Casino Grand Eagle Room: 777 Grand Casino Boulevard, Shawnee
The Red Cross of Oklahoma provides the following services for the victims:
- A safe place to sleep
- Meals, snacks, and water
- Health services (for disaster-related conditions), such as first aid, refilling lost prescriptions, replacing lost eyeglasses, emotional support, and mental health services
- Spiritual care
- Help reconnecting with loved ones
- Information about disaster-related resources in the community
Weather conditions that worsen the risk of wildfires are expected to continue this week.
Evacuation notices could be extended during these weather patterns; it is important to understand wildfire safety in the case of an emergency.
Visit The American Red Cross of Oklahoma’s website for preparation info and resources.
The Red Cross also provided a list of safety tips for those affected by the wildfires.
Safety basics:
- Wait for officials to say it is safe before going back home.
- Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers. The ground may contain heat pockets that can burn you or spark another fire.
- Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles, and downed wires. They can electrocute you.
- Watch for pits in the ground filled with ash. They may have hot embers underneath that could burn you. Mark them for safety, and warn your family and neighbors to keep clear of the pits.
Clean up safely:
- Follow public health rules and wear safety equipment.
- Avoid direct contact with ash.
- Protect yourself against ash when you clean up. Wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks to protect your skin. Wear goggles to protect your eyes. Limit how much ash you breathe in by wearing an N95 respirator.
- Wash off ash that gets on your skin or in your eyes or mouth as soon as you can.
- Children, pregnant women, and people with asthma, heart, or lung conditions should not breathe in dust from ash
Tips to stay healthy:
- Wildfires can make drinking water unsafe. Check with your local health department about drinking water safety.
- When in doubt, throw it out! Throw out food that was exposed to heat, smoke, fumes, or chemicals.
- Ask your healthcare provider or doctor about using refrigerated medicines.
Take care of yourself:
- It’s normal to have a lot of feelings.
- Eat healthy food and get enough sleep to help you deal with stress.
- You can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746
