The American Red Cross is helping hundreds of Oklahomans recover from devastating wildfires.

Red Cross disaster workers have assessed damage to almost 580 homes. Of those, nearly 470 were either destroyed or suffered major damage.

To date, Red Cross caseworkers have opened about 370 cases, serving over 900 people with recovery support, including financial assistance, replacement of eyeglasses and other medical needs like prescriptions.

The Red Cross is reaching out to wildfire survivors to discuss their eligibility for financial assistance. If you received a message or call from a Red Cross representative, please follow the steps outlined in that message or visit rdcrss.org/OKWildfires to learn more.

The Red Cross joined Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) partners to host Multi Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) to help Oklahomans affected by wildfires. MARCs bring together public agencies and nonprofits to offer people a “one-stop shop” for assistance and recovery resources and information, including health services.

MARCs took place March 21 in Mannford, March 22 in Stillwater, March 23 in Guthrie and March 24 in Norman (Little Axe). While resource centers have closed, assistance is still available by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

RELIEF WORK STARTED IMMEDIATELY Multiple fires started burning on March 14, scorching almost 200,000 acres across the state.

Red Cross disaster workers immediately supported impacted communities by opening or supporting over a dozen evacuation centers and multiple shelters.

As firefighters brought blazes under control, over 100 Red Cross disaster workers – most of them volunteers from Oklahoma – hit the ground to offer safe shelter, feed residents and first responders, and distribute emergency supplies. Their relief efforts covered thousands of square miles, touching Caddo, Cleveland, Creek, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie and Roger Mills counties

We provided 310 overnight shelter stays before completing those services on March 24. Transition teams worked with Red Cross shelter clients to help them plan their next steps and a long-term place to stay.

Together with our partners, we served over 12,300 meals and snacks to residents and first responders. Teams distributed almost 1,560 relief items including comfort kits and other supplies to people in need, and nearly 420 total households have been served.

HOW TO HELP Families need support today. Please click, text or call to support Red Cross Disaster Relief and help people affected by disasters like wildfires, storms and countless other crises.

Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

A gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. We know that people are generous and want to do everything they can to help after a disaster. Our first priority is to provide shelter and support to those affected — and financial donations are the quickest and best way to help those who need it most.

STAYING SAFE AFTER A WILDFIRE

Clean up safely:

• Follow public health rules and wear safety equipment.
• Avoid direct contact with ash.
• Protect yourself against ash when you clean up. Wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks to protect your skin. Wear goggles to protect your eyes. Limit how much ash you breathe in by wearing an N95 respirator.
• Wash off ash that gets on your skin or in your eyes or mouth as soon as you can.
• Children, pregnant women, and people with asthma, heart or lung conditions should not breathe in dust from ash.
   

Tips to stay healthy:

• Wildfires can make drinking water unsafe. Check with your local health department about drinking water safety.
• When in doubt, throw it out! Throw out food that was exposed to heat, smoke, fumes, or chemicals.
• Ask your healthcare provider or doctor about using refrigerated medicines.
   

Take care of yourself:

• It’s normal to have a lot of feelings.
• Eat healthy food and get enough sleep to help you deal with stress.
• You can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746.