Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Calls FEMA Denial Of Wildfire Aid 'Cruel'

Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak praised approved federal aid for Oklahoma wildfire victims in one county, but criticized the denial of the same aid for three other counties.

This week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency notified Gov. Mary Fallin that assistance for individuals and business owners impacted by wildfires in Creek County was approved, but denied for wildfire victims in Cleveland, Oklahoma and Payne counties.

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"Like Gov. Fallin, I am extremely disappointed in FEMA's decision," Doak said in a news release. "I, too, think the rejections are ‘bureaucratic' and ‘cruel.' While the individual aid to Creek County victims is much appreciated and badly needed, I want to know why the President and his administration will not help all Oklahoma fire victims."

Statewide, 603 homes were destroyed. Of those, 227 homes were in the counties that were not included in the federal disaster aid declaration, according to the release.