Oklahoma National Guard activated

Lt. Col. Max Moss said the Oklahoma National Guard received a request from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management this morning to assist in firefighting efforts in Stephens County near Velma.

Because reduced winds allowed for the assistance, Moss said the Guard is sending two Blackhawk helicopters with 660-gallon water buckets to help control wildfires there.

The National Guard said they couldn’t assist the ground effort Thursday because of winds that gusted to more than 60 mph in some areas .

- Johnny Johnson

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