McIntosh County approved for federal aid

Friday, December 2nd 2005, 2:23 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved the state's request for federal assistance linked to battling a wildfire in McIntosh County, Gov. Brad Henry said Friday.

FEMA had earlier approved fire suppression grants to help cover expenses related to specific fires that started in Stephens, Garvin, Mayes and McIntosh Counties.

The latest grant is tied to Henry's request for the Texanna Road area fire that began in McIntosh County. Other grants relate to the Flat Rock area fire that began in Mayes County, the Velma area fire that began in Stephens County and the Antioch area fire that began in Garvin County.

Henry toured wildfire-ravaged areas of eastern Oklahoma on Thursday in a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter.

Wind-whipped fires that began Sunday have blackened more than 50,000 acres and destroyed 50 homes. The fires have caused several injuries, mostly smoke inhalation and burns to firefighters, and at least one death.

Patricia Hammond, 68, of Wilson, died on Tuesday of smoke inhalation, said Michelann Ooten, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.

A statewide burn ban remains in effect for all 77 counties in the state because of the dry conditions and lack of rainfall.