Wildfire Preparedness Tips
Wildfires can occur anywhere and Oklahoma has been recently prone to such disasters. The information below explains how to be prepared before, during and after if a wildfire might occur in your area.
Before a Wildfire | During a Wildfire | After a Wildfire Occurs
Before a Wildfire
Fire Safety Information
Homeowners - How to Prepare for Wildfire
Ready.gov Wildfire Preparedness Tips
Oklahoma Emergency Management's Tips Site
Insurance Tips
Make a Home Inventory List - Compile this inventory before trouble arises by starting at the back of your home and working forward through every room, writing down all items of major value. It will be easier to calculate your loss and secure a fair and accurate claim check for replacing your property if you know a few specifics about expensive items, including televisions, stereos, gaming systems, appliances and the like. Write down the make and model; try to remember what year you bought the item, and what you paid for it. Adding pictures or video to the written list of items can be a big help to your agent. When completed, keep this inventory at a secure location offsite, like in a safe deposit box at a bank, or at the home of a relative who doesn’t live nearby enough to possibly lose their home to the same disaster.
• Gather important documents and insurance cards and policies and place them in a fire safe location.
• Know what your policy covers and know your policy limits.
• Review your health coverage.
• Consider renters insurance if you don't have it.
In the event of a wildfire, the Oklahoma Insurance Department urges you to act quickly and wisely:
• Throughout most of the state, call 911 or your local fire department immediately. In certain areas of the eastern part of the state, wildfire hotlines exist and should be notified first in the event of an outdoor blaze. In northeast Oklahoma (Adair, Cherokee, Delaware and Sequoyah counties, portions of Ottawa, Mayes and Muskogee counties and a small part of Wagoner County), report wildfires to (800) 299‐3473; in east‐central Oklahoma (Haskell, Latimer, Le Flore and eastern Pittsburg counties), phone (800) 375‐2056; and in southeastern Oklahoma (Pushmataha County, most of McCurtain County, eastern Atoka County and northeast Choctaw County), call (800) 299‐2468.
• Secure your property, pets and livestock as best you can without risking the lives of you and your family.
Situation Updates
View any situation updates when wildfires occur in Oklahoma provided by the Oklahoma Emergency Management
Twitter Updates
• When the fire has moved on or been extinguished, call your insurance agent or company claim line as soon as possible.
• If your home is not insured, contact your local Red Cross or a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center for assistance.
• Make a list of your damaged property and make necessary repairs to protect your home and property from further damage.
• Read your homeowner’s insurance policy carefully to fully understand your coverage and your rights. If you don’t have the policy in hand, ask the agent for a copy.
• Know if you have replacement cost or actual cash value coverage.
• Ask your agent about additional living expenses (ALE) or loss of use.
• Refer to your policy to know what deductible you'll be required you'll be required to pay.
• Avoid becoming a victim of fraud by:
• Never signed blank insurance claim forms.
• Demand detailed bills for services and check closely for accuracy.
• Contact the OID to confirm your agency and company is properly licensed.
• Report suspected fraud by visiting our Anti-Fraud Units website at http://fraudstoppers.oid.ok.gov
• In the event of concerns or a dispute about your insurance policy or settlement, contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department toll‐free at (800) 522‐0071, or online at http://oid.ok.gov
