Counties not on FEMA's declaration list still hoping for federal assistance

FEMA is ready to help hundreds of Oklahoma homeowners recover from wildfire damage. But not every county affected is on the list. <br/><br/>Take Muskogee County for instance, many families who lost everything

Thursday, January 12th 2006, 6:10 am

By: News On 6

FEMA is ready to help hundreds of Oklahoma homeowners recover from wildfire damage. But not every county affected is on the list.

Take Muskogee County for instance, many families who lost everything are hopeful they'll be included. Yvonne Harshaw's home was destroyed in a wildfire that started in a field near their home. She thinks its arson, because there have been two other fires in the same field the past two months. Only this one wasn't stopped in time. Harshaw's mother's home up the hill was spared.

And that's where the family stood, helplessly, the night of the fire. "It's just devastating when you watch everything go up.â€

There is still a possibility the Harshaw's and others will get FEMA help. Government officials are still surveying the damage throughout the state and new counties in need may be added to the list.