Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma has announced the formation of the Wildland Fire Response Working Group in response to the recent wildfires in the state. The group will review and improve the state’s wildfire response strategies following the resignation of the State Forester and the firing of two forestry department officials. Governor Stitt stressed the importance of stronger coordination and more efficient use of state resources to better support rural firefighters and suppress fires in Oklahoma.
The working group, led by the State Public Safety and Agriculture secretaries, will include first responders, emergency management directors, and insurance representatives. Its mission is to enhance collaboration, optimize state funding, and streamline laws for improved wildfire management. The group is set to meet within 30 days and submit recommendations within six months.
Governor Stitt criticized the forestry department’s handling of the recent wildfire outbreak, citing its focus on smaller fires in Southeastern Oklahoma rather than deploying resources to more populated areas. This led to four deaths, with over 500 homes and businesses damaged across seven counties. While the Governor had initially proposed eliminating the State Forestry Department, he has since retracted this plan in favor of the Wildland Fire Response Working Group initiative.
Source
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
