Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has added 10 counties to a list of those under a state of emergency because of wildfires. They include: Alfalfa, Blaine, Creek, Dewey, Garfield, Grant, Harper, Logan, Major and Woodward counties where wildfires are either burning out of control or have left areas heavily damaged.
The move came after the Governor had earlier issued an executive order covering Woods county.
The state’s largest fire is in Woodward County where four separate fires managed to merge into one gigantic blaze that has darkened more than 55,000 acres as of Wednesday night. An estimated 200 firefighters spent the night battling the fire near the town of Mooreland.
Governor Fallin said under her executive order, state agencies will be allowed to make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to speed delivery of resources. It is also the first step toward seeking federal aid for affected farmers and ranchers should it be necessary.
The governor’s executive orders are in effect for 30 days.
