>> Rich: THE RACE TO REPLACE GOVERNOR STITT BEGINS.

>> MY FRIENDS, I'M HERE TO ANNOUNCE THAT I'M RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> Rich: OKLAHOMA DEMOCRATS UNVEIL THEIR EDUCATION PROPOSALS HEADING INTO THE UPCOMING SESSION.

>> WE WANTED TO COME FORWARD EARLY WITH OUR TRUE VISION FOR THE STATE.

>> Rich: IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO AVOID HOUSE FIRES.

>> SPACE HEATERS NEED SPACE AND AGAIN, THEY ARE SAFE TO USE.

JUST MAKE SURE YOU'RE PLUGGING THEM INTO A WALL OUTLET.

>> Rich: THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL FACING MORE PROBLEMS AS THE CEO TURNS IN THE RESIGNATION.

>> WE'RE BUILDING THIS AS THIS IS OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND IT'S FOR OUR CURRENT RESIDENCE.

>> Rich: AN IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION ON WILDFIRES.

OKLAHOMA's EFFORTS TO AVOID A TRAGEDY LIKE THE ONE UNFOLDING IN LOS ANGELOS.

THAT'S NEXT ON "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

WELCOME TO "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

IN THE LAST SIX YEARS, LAST YEAR SAW $875 MILLION AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE TAX BREAKS FOR PRIVATE AND HOME SCHOOLED CHILDREN.

WHAT IS ON THE AGENDA THIS YEAR?

THIS WEEK, DEMOCRATS SHARE THEIR IDEAS.

FOR MORE, WE'RE JOINED BY EDUCATION REPORTER, TAELYR JACKSON.

>> THEY WEIGHED IN ON A NEW ROLE BY SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS.

>> WE WANTED TO COME FORWARD EARLY WITH OUR TRUE VISION FOR THIS STATE.

>> ON MONDAY, OKLAHOMA SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS REVEALED THEIR POLICY AGENDA FOR 2025.

THE MAIN FOCUS FOR THIS SESSION IS OPEN AND FAIR GOVERNMENT, HEALTHCARE, PROSPERITY FOR ALL AND, OF COURSE, EDUCATION.

>> WHEN PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO GOOD HEALTHCARE OR EDUCATION, IT LIMITS THEIR OPPORTUNITIES, THEIR FREEDOM AND SUCCESS.

>> MANY LEGISLATORS HAVE PREFILED LEGISLATION AHEAD OF THE JANUARY 16th FILED DEADLINE.

SENATOR KARI HICKS FILED LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE TEACHER PAY AND HELP THE NATIONAL GUARD FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION.

>> THEY CAN BE A MECHANIC IN THE GUARD AND NOT ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO DO THAT SAME PROFESSION OUTSIDE OF THE GUARD BECAUSE OF LICENSING RESTRICTIONS.

>> SENATE DEMOCRATS BELIEVE THEIR EDUCATION-RELATED BILLS WILL HELP BEST SUPPORT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

FRESHMAN SENATOR MARK MANN HAS FILED SENATE BILL 347 TO SAFEGUARD SCHOOL ACCREDITATION.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS DONE AND THE CAUSTIC ENVIRONMENT, THE OWN THING THEY HAS TO BEAT PEOPLE INTO SUBMISSION ARE ACCREDITATION AND CERTIFICATION.

I EQUATE THIS TO HAVING A BULLY ON A PLAYGROUND.

IF THE BULLY IS SWINGING A STICK, TAKE THE STICK AWAY.

IT WILL MOVE IT TO THE EDUCATION QUALITY COMMISSION.

>> STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS WHO SITS ON THE OECA BOARD BY HIS POSITION ANNOUNCED TUESDAY THAT HE IS SUING THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE U.S. IMMIGRATION CUSTOMS DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR $474 MILLION.

THE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE LAWSUIT IS AN ATTEMPT TO RECOOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IMPACT ON OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS.

THIS LAWSUIT IS ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENSURING THAT OUR CHILDREN RECEIVE THE QUALITY EDUCATION THEY DESERVE.

FREE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT's FAILURES EVEN FROM A FAILED OUTGOING ADMINISTRATION, I WILL ALWAYS FIGHT FOR OKLAHOMA STUDENTS AND OKLAHOMA TAXPAYERS.

DEMOCRATS ARE ALSO OPPOSED TO NEW PROPOSED OSC RULES AND ONE OF THE RULES WOULD REQUIRE OKLAHOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO REPORT THE NUMBER OF UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS TO OSDE.

OKLAHOMA's TWO LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE THE LARGEST NUMBER OF HISPANIC STUDENTS IN THE STATE.

57% HISPANIC STUDENTS MAKE UP OKCP STUDENT's POPULATION.

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT DR. POKE MADE IT CLEAR IN A LETTER SENT HOME TO PARENTS THAT THE DISTRICT DOES NOT PLAN TO COUNT UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS.

OKCPS LEADERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE RULES REGARDING PROOFLE CITIZENSHIP DURING THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS.

OKCPS DOES NOT, NOR DO WE HAVE PLANS TO COLLECT THE IMMIGRATION STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

EVAN JOHNSON OF THE TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADDRESSED THE PARENT's CONCERNS ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE.

38% OF T PS STUDENTS ARE HIS STUDENTS.

>> NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN OUR PROCESSES OR ENGAGE WITH OUR FAMILIES.

TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS DID YOU NOT COLLECT, REQUIRE OR REPORT ANY INFORMATION RELATED TO IMMIGRATION STATUS TO THE STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> IMMIGRANT ATTORNEY MELISSA TIPTON DUNCAN SAYS THERE ARE LAWS IN PLACE TO PROTECT UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS.

>> THEY GET THE SAME REQUIREMENTS, THAT THEY GET CONCENTRATED, THE PROGRAMS PROVIDED, THE TUTORS, THOSE STUDENTS WOULD ALSO BE PROTECTED.

THAT HAS BEEN THE LAW SINCE 1982.

>> YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO ASK IMMIGRATION STATUS OF THE PARENTS OR STUDENTS.

HE MAY HAVE THESE RULES AND I SUSPECT THEY WON'T GET THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS.

IF THEY DO, IT'S HELD UP IN COURT BECAUSE THAT CLEARLY VIOLATES OKLAHOMA LAW.

>> PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA HAD UNTIL 5:00 P.M. ON JANUARY 17th TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS.

IT WILL BE REVIEWED BEFORE THE STATE DEPARTMENT VOTES ON THE RULES.

>> WE HEAR REGULARLY FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS BY PHONE AND EMAIL AND IN-PERSON AT THE GROCERY STORE ABOUT THE DAMAGE THAT OUR STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION IS REEKING IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> OTHER LEGISLATION FILED INCLUDE SENATE BILL 407 OFFERED BY SENATOR BROOKS WOULD PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO ENGLISH LEARNER TEACHERS.

SENATOR MARY BOREN FILED SENATE BILL 408 PROVIDING ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION FOR PREGNANT STUDENTS.

SENATOR GOODWIN HAS A BUDGET REQUEST TO INCREASE FUNDING, THE STATE's ONLY HBCU.

>> WHEN YOU COMPARE ONE TO ANOTHER, YOU'RE SEEING THAT THE UNDERFUNDING HAS BEEN LANGSTON UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN GETTING 46 CENTS CENTS TO DOLLAR AND ANOTHER ONE $3.16.

HISTORIC UNDERFUNDING, IT IS CONSISTENT WITH SLIGHT GAINS AND IMAGINE HOW MUCH MORE MONEY IS OWED.

>> NEXT WEEK WE'LL REPORT ON REPUBLICAN EDUCATION PRIORS.

AND ON ANOTHER NOTE FROM THE STATE CAPITOL, HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE ONE LESS VOTE WHEN THE SESSION BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 3rd.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, AMANDA SWOPE OF TULSA IS RESIGNING.

THE DATE OF A SPECIAL ELECTION TO REPLACE SWOPE WILL BE DETERMINED BY GOVERNOR STIT.

>> Rich: EXCELLENT REPORTING.

>>> THE RACE IS ON, ATTORNEY GENERAL DRUMMOND REPLACING GOVERNOR STITT ON FEBRUARY 6th.

DRUMMOND BECOMING ENTERING FOR THE HIGHEST OFFICE.

THERE'S AN OSU GRADUATE AND FLEW 38 COMBAT MISSIONS AS A FIGHTER PILOT.

>> TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD A FUTURE WHERE HARD-WORKING PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA ENJOY THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE COUNTRY.

TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD A FUTURE WHERE WE WILL WORK TOGETHER WITH NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES TO INVEST IN EDUCATION, ROADS AND BRIDGES AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

ALL THIS IS POSSIBLE NOW AND MORE.

>> Rich: OTHER POTENTIAL REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES INCLUDE FORMER STATE SENATOR MIKE MAZEY, CHART MCCALL AND MATT PINAL AND RYAN WALTERS.

WITH CEO BRANDY GARDNER SUBMITTING HER RESIGNATION LAST WEEK, THE COUNTY JAIL WILL BE SEEKING NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.

WHILE A NEW JAIL IS CONTROVERSIAL, LAURELS AND LOCAL LEADERS ARE DEMANDING ACTION TO FIX THE PROBLEMS FACING THE CURRENT JAIL UNTIL THE NEW FACILITY IS COMPLETED.

IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN IF WE GET A THOROUGH AND PROPER INVESTIGATION.

WE CALL FOR THAT INVESTIGATION TO TAKE PLACE IN ORDER TO SAVE LIVES.

SOMEONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE JAILHOUSE.

YOU THINK ALL OF THOSE PLAY A ROLE IN FIXING AND CORRECTING IT.

>> SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.

WE HAVE WORK TO DO.

LIVES ARE AT STAKE.

SO I CALL FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO GET INVOLVED.

THIS IS NO LONGER JUST A LOCAL ISSUE.

>> Rich: AT THIS POINT, OKLAHOMA COUNTY IS PLANNING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE GRAND AVENUE LOCATION FOR THE NEW JAIL DESPITE OPPOSITION FROM PEOPLE IN DELL CITY.

>>> WITH THE EXCEPTIONS OF DEEP CANYONS AND TALL MOUNTAINS, OKLAHOMA CITIES AND TOWNS FACE THE SAME FIRE THREATS THAT CAUSE SO MUCH HEARTACHE IN LOS ANGELOS.

WE HAVE HIGH WINDS AND PLENTY OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL.

COULD WHAT'S HAPPENING IN LOS ANGELOS EVER HAPPEN HERE?

THAT'S THE IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH CASSIDY MUDD AND PANEL OF GUESTS.

>> WE LIVE IN A FLAMMABLE STATE AND PROBABLY NOT TO THE EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION THAT THEY HAVE.

WE DON'T HAVE THE POPULATION OR THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THEY HAVE.

BUT AT OUR LOCAL SCALE, IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING FOR SURE.

>> AS FAR AS THE POPULATION, NO, WE DO NOT HAVE THAT HERE LIKE THEY DO IN CALIFORNIA.

I AGREE, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE FARM GROUND, THE GRASS PASTURE, THAT KIND OF THING COULD BE REALLY CATASTROPHIC FOUR LOCAL FARMERS.

>> THE LEVEL OF CATASTROPHE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RIGHT NOW, MOST LIKELY NOT, IMPACTS THE WILDFIRES THAT AFFECTS LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS IN CALIFORNIA, >> Rich: OKLAHOMA IS EXPECTING WHAT COULD BE THE COLDEST TEMPERATURES OF THE ENTIRE YEAR.

THIS INCLUDES THE INCREASED THREAT OF HOUSE FIRES.

GOOD INFORMATION BEFORE THE TEMPERATURES PLUMMET.

STEVE?

>> TEMPERATURES LAST WEEK WERE THE LEAST LAST TIME.

LAT SUNDAY, OKLAHOMA FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED TO FIVE HOUSE FIRES AND THAT'S WHY THESE SAYINGS ARE SO IMPORTANT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA DON'T REACT WELL TO THE COLD.

MANY HOMES IN THE SOONER STATE DON'T HAVE CENTRAL AIR EITHER.

SPACE HEATERS ARE VERY POPULAR WHEN TEMPERATURES PLUMMET.

THAT'S WHEN THE TROUBLE STARTS.

>> AND SPACE HEATERS ARE SAFE TO USE IF YOU USE THEM APPROPRIATELY.

THE BIG THING THAT WE SEE IS THAT PEOPLE PUT THEM WAY TOO CLOSE TO THINGS THAT CAN BURN.

JUST THIS PAST MONDAY, ACTUALLY, WE HAD A HOUSE FIRE ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF OKLAHOMA CITY THAT OCCUPIED SEVEN PEOPLE.

MOM SAID SHE WOKE UP AND WAS COLD, SO SHE GRABBED A SPACE HEATER AND PUT IT RIGHT NEXT TO THE BED, FELL BACK TO SLEEP.

WITHIN AN HOUR, SHE WOKE UP TO SMOKING FLAMES IN HER ROOM AND THERE'S A LOT OF DESTRUCTION TO HER HOME JUST BECAUSE THE SPACE HEATER WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE BEDDING.

>> Rich: THIS WAS THE AFTERMATH OF THAT FIRE THAT OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 30th.

THAT FAMILY SCRAMBLED TO SAFETY.

PROBABLY BECAUSE THEY WERE ALERTED BY A SMOKE DETECTOR THAT WORKED.

>> THE SPACE HEATERS NEED SAFE.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE PLUGGING THEM TO A WALL USE.

>> OKLAHOMA STAY FIRES RESPONDS TO A THOUSAND STRUCTURE FIRES EACH YEAR AND MORE THAN HALF OCCUR BETWEEN DECEMBER AND FEBRUARY.

FROM NEW YEAR'S DAY THROUGH THIS PAST MONDAY, OKLAHOMA CITY FIRE RESPONDED TO A WHOPPING 44 STRUCTURED FIRES.

DOUGLAS SAYS MORE THAN A FEW INVOLVE SPACE HEATERS.

ON NEW YEAR'S MORNING, SIX YEARS AGO, THREE CHILDREN ALL UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE PERISHED IN A HOUSE FIRE THAT STARTED IN THE CHILDREN's BEDROOM.

>> THAT WAS THE HARDEST CALL I HAD.

THROUGH OR INVESTIGATION, WE FOUND A SPACE HEATER HANDLE MALFUNCTIONED IN THE BEDROOM WITH THE CHILDREN.

THERE WAS NO WORKING SMOKE DETECTORS.

IT COULD HAVE ALARMED THEM AND POSSIBLY SAVED THEIR LIVES.

>> WERE THERE SMOKE DETECTORS IN THE HOUSE BUT WEREN'T WORKING?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> SINCE THAT TRAGEDY, EL RENO FIRE WITH THE HELP OF THE RED CROSS INSTALLED MORE THAN 500 SMOKE ALARMS IN HOMES HERE.

CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA RED CROSS COMMUNITY DISASTER PROGRAM MANAGER MIKE DELODDER SAYS THE RED CROSS HELPED TO INSTALL 2200 SMOKE DETECTORS IN 800 HOMES LAST YEAR.

>> WE UNDERSTAND THAT A LOT OF HOMES, ESPECIALLY THE OLDER HOMES, MAY NOT HAVE CENTRAL HEAT AND AIR.

THE RESIDENTS MIGHT RELY ON A SPACE HEATER.

>> THAT'S SO DANGEROUS.

>> ESPECIALLY IF THEY TRY TO HOOK IT UP TO THE EXTENSION CORD FOR THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, BECAUSE IT'S NOT RATED FOR IT.

>> AND FOR THE RECORD, THIS IS THE WRONG KIND OF EXTENSION CORDTO PLUG A SPACE HEATER INTO.

IT TOO LIGHT WEIGHT.

YOU'RE ASKING FOR PROBLEMS.

>> WATCH WHERE THEY RUN THE EXTENSION CORDS.

IF YOU RUN THEM UNDER A CARPET BECAUSE THEY'RE UNSIGHTLY, YOU'RE INCREASING THE CHANCE TO HAVE A PROBLEM.

>> BECAUSE THEY'LL HEAT UP?

>> THEY'LL HEAT UP AND GRET GET FRAYED AND DETERIORATE AND THEY BECOME EVEN MORE OF A HAZARD.

IN A HOUSE FIRE, EVERY SECOND COUNTS.

YOU HAVE ABOUT TWO MINUTES FROM THE TIME THE FIRE ACTUALLY STARTS TO GET OUT.

>> EXTENSION CORDS ARE NOT MEANT TO BE A PERMANENT SOURCE OF SUPPLY.

SO MANY TIMES WE SEE THESE EXTENSION CORDS WRAPPED UNDER COUCHES, RUN UNDER RUGS.

WHEN THE EXTENSION CORDS HEAT UP, RUNNING A HIGH AMP SUCH AS A SPACE HEATER, THEY CAN CATCH ON FIRE AND WE SEE THAT QUITE OFTEN.

>> EDMOND AND MOST OF THE OTHER LARGER FARMINGTON DEPARTMENTS LARGER FIRE DEPARTMENTS WILL INSTALL SMOKE DETECTORS AND INSTALL THEM FOR FREE.

>> HAVING WORKING SMOKE ALARMS IS PIVOTAL.

THREE OUT OF FIVE HOME FAIRS FIS OCCUR BECAUSE THERE'S NO SMOKE DETECTORS.

CHECK THE DATE ON IT SO SMOKE ALARMS HAVE A LIFE SPAN OF USUALLY TEN YEARS.

IF IT'S OLDER THAN TEN YEARS, IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

IT'S AS SIMPLE AS PRESSING THE TEST BUTTON.

>> JACOB STANGLE SAYS JUST LAST WEEK THEY RESPONDED TO A HOUSE FIRE CAUSED ABOUT A SPACE HEATER.

FORTUNATELY, EVERYBODY GOT OUT.

>> THIS WAS DURING A COLD STREAK WE'VE BEEN HAVING.

MULTIPLE DAYS IN THE TEENS AND LOWER.

SO IT HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR A REALLY, PROBABLY SEVERAL DAYS, AT LEAST.

>> ALLOWING A SPACE HEATER TO RUN FOR SEVERAL STRAIGHT DAYS IS A BAD IDEA.

RICH?

>> Rich: THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RELEASED THE REPORT ON THE 1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE.

WHILE IT CONCLUDED IT WAS, QUOTE, A COORDINATED MILITARY-STYLE ATTACK, THE REPORT DETERMINED THAT TO PERSON ALIVE COULD BE PERSECUTED.

THE HISTORICAL RECKONING FOR THE MASSACRE CONTINUES.

THE HISTORY SOCIETY IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL DESIGNED TO THE OKLAHOMA MOVEMENT.

GRANTS RANGING FROM 1,000 TO $50,000 ARE AVAILABLE AND AWARDED IN MAY.

THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO TRIBAL COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS, AS WELL AS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS SET FOR FEBRUARY 15th.

>>> RECYCLING EFFORTS IN AMERICA HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE THE EARLY 1900S.

BUT THE RECYCLING OF HOUSEHOLD TRASH BECAME COMMON IN '60 AND '70s.

NOAH MACS IS LOOKING HOW WE'RE DOING IN OKLAHOMA AND JOINS US NOW.

>> FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON IN OKLAHOMA, IT STOPS AT THE END OF THEIR DRIVEWAY.

YOU GET TO ONE OF THESE RECYCLING FACILITIES, NUANCE OPENS UP.

THERE'S CLEAR RECYCLING IN OKLAHOMA DOES NOT FREE AND CERTAINLY NOT EASY.

THIS IS THE RECYCLE AND TRANSFER PLANT IN OKLAHOMA.

AND 95% OF THE ITEMS STAY IN OKLAHOMA, PROMOTING STATE MANUFACTURING JOBS.

RECYCLES SLOWING DOWN LANDFILLS.

>> IT'S SAVING MONEY AND SPACE.

SO WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IS A PURPOSE OF WASTE REDUCTION, WASTE DIVERSION.

>> BUT PROCESSING RECYCLES IS A PROCESS THAT COMES WITH ONE GLARING OBSTACLE.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU TALK TO, ITEMS PLACED IN THE RECYCLE BIN THAT ARE NOT PART OF THE PROGRAM RECYCLABLES AND WE REFERENCE THOSE AS CONTAMINANTSES.

>> THIS IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF RECYCLING AT AMERICAN WASTE CONTROL AND ROBERT FOUND ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF AT THE PLANT.

>> WE'VE GOTTEN GUNS BEFORE IN THE RECYCLING, LIVE AMMUNITION.

>> ROBERT SAYS OFTEN PEOPLE USE THEIR RECYCLING BINS AS AN EXTRA TRASH BIN OR JUST DON'T KNOW HOW THE PROCESS WORKS.

MOST THE TIME, WORKERS WILL CATCH THE CONTAMINANTS AND REMOVE THEM.

>> THESE ARE DANGEROUS AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT RUPTURED AND WAS SMOKING.

>> SOMETIMES THE CONSEQUENCES ARE FAR MORE DIRE.

>> IN 2021, WE HAD A FIRE HERE CAUSED FROM A LITHIUM ION BATTERY STUCK IN A SCREEN THAT ERUPTED AFTER HOURS.

>> $12 MILLION OF EQUIPMENT HAD TO BE RELAYED.

REPLACED.

>> WE MADE TO KEEP ITEMS LIKE THIS DISPOSED OF AND NOT TOSSED IN THE RECYCLING BIN.

>> THERE'S MULTIPLE WAYS OF COMBATING CONTAMINATION.

JOSH NOAH, THE COORDINATOR FOR TULSA SAYS THEY HAVE SPECIALIZED DROP-OFF CENTERS FOR THINGS LIKE ELECTRONIC WASTE AND THEY OFFER COACHING, AS WELL.

>> WHEN OUR INSPECTORS GO OUT AND FIND CONTAMINATION IN THE CART, THEY LEAVE A TAG OF WHAT THEY DID WRONG.

>> TULSA HAS A THREE-STRIKE POLICY IN A RECENT YEARS, THEY HAD TO REMODEL THE PROGRAM TO REDUCE CONTAMINATION.

>> BEFORE IT WAS, EVERYONE GETS A CART NO MATTER WHAT AND YOU HAVE TO CALL INTO GET A CART.

>> IF IT WASN'T APPARENT ALREADY, DEALING WITH CONTAP NATION COSTS MONEY AND THE MORE, THE HIGHER THE RATES.

IN OKLAHOMA CITY, $550,000 WAS SPENT ON HANDLING CONTAMINATION IN FISCAL YEAR 2024.

THIS RESIDUAL FENDING FALLS BACK ON CUSTOMERS.

THE NUMBER ONE CONTAMINATION PERPETRATOR IS PLASTIC BAGS.

>> BUBBLE WRAP OR ZIPLOC BAGS.

>> THEY CAN GET CAUGHT IN THE MACHINERY.

>> IT'S PEOPLE WHO PUT ALL ITEMS IN A PLASTIC BAG LIKE THE TRASH AND THEN THAT ENTIRE BAG, ONCE IT GETS TO THE RECOVERY FACILITY WILL BE PULLED OUT AND SENT BACK TO LANDFILLS.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY RESIDENTS RECYCLED 23,000 TONS IN FISCAL YEAR 2024.

ONLY 17,000 TONS WERE ACTUALLY TAKEN TO MANUFACTURERS.

THAT'S SIX THOUSAND TONS THAT HAD TO BE SORTED AND TRANSPORTEDTO LANDFILLS.

MANY RURAL COMMUNITIES DON'T EVEN HAVE ACCESS TO RECYCLING.

>> A LOT OF TIMES THE SMALLER COMMUNITIES AROUND SET UP WITH THE EQUIPMENT TO -- YOU SEE THE CONTAINERS BACK THERE, TO MOVE THE CONTAINERS AND EMPTY CONTAINERS.

>> ALLEN BUSSER IS WITH THE RECYCLING ASSOCIATION OR OKRA.

IT ACTS AS AN INTERMEDIATE YEAR.

AND SHE'S SEEN COUNT ALSO COUNTLESSCOMMUNITIES TRYING TO D FAIL.

PERRY IS IN THE SAME SITUATION, WHERE THEY COME IN AND SAY WE CAN GIVE YOU RECYCLING FOR FREE.

WELL, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS FREE.

IT'S GOING TO COST SOMEBODY.

SO THEY COME IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEY START UP RECYCLING PROGRAMS AND GET PEOPLE INTERESTED IN RECYCLING AND GET IN THE HABIT OF DOING IT.

AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE COMPANY WANTS TO CHARGE THE HUGE MUNICIPALITY.

>> SHE SAYS MANY OF OKLAHOMA's EXISTING PROGRAMS WERE KICK STARTED BY CITIZENS.

>> LIKE IN EDMONT, THERE WAS A BIN SET UP AT 33rd AND BROADWAY AND VOLUNTEERS MANNED IT AND THEY GOT IT TO THE MATERIAL's RECOVERY FACILITY.

NOW THERE'S CURBSIDE RECYCLING.

MY HOPE AND MY DREAMS IS THAT RECYCLING WILL BE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO CONTAMINATION, RECYCLING OFFICIALS BELIEVE THEY HAVE THE BEST.

THERE'S SOME ONLINE TO SHOW YOU WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT RECYCLE.

BUT A SLOGAN I'VE HEARD OVER AND OVER, WHEN IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT.

>> Rich: THERE'S A CULTURAL EPICENTER THEY BELIEVE WILL CREATE NEW BUSINESS AND REVITALIZE AN HISTORICAL NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT'S A CONCEPT THAT HAS WORKED BEFORE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, RICH.

CULTURE WILL AND AT THE HEART OF THE MULTIMILLION DOLLAR PROJECT IN THE CAPITOL HILL DISTRICT, JUST LIKE NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE CAPITOL CITY.

>> ONE, TWO, THREE!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> CAPITOL HILL, JUST SOUND OF DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY CELEBRATING THE START OF A NEW FEATURE, PLAZA DOCINCO.

THE PLAZA WILL ACT AS A TOWN SQUARE.

>> THIS WILL BE OUR HOME BASE.

SO THIS WILL BE OUR NEW HOME BASE.

THIS WILL BE A GATHERING PLACE FOR FAMILIES AND A GATHERING PLACE TO MAYBE HAVE YOUR WEDDING, HAVE BIRTHDAY PARTIES, JUST COME OUT ON A LITTLE DATE, JUST A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

>> THE $3 MILLION PROJECT WILL CLOSE DOWN A SECTION OF HARVEY AVENUE IN FRONT OF A CHURCH TO CREATE THE PEDESTRIAN PLAZA.

>> ONE THING THEY FOCUS ON IS MAKING SURE THEY'RE TAPPING INTO THE ACTUAL COMMUNITY, THE RESIDENTS OF THE EXPECT AND WHAT IS IT THAT WE A PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA STAY WANT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WHAT YOU SEE A LATIN COMMUNITY.

WE ARE LATIN PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA WHO HAVE A LATIN HERITAGE.

>> IT WILL FEEL LOSS OF COLOR AND ART's ENTRY, A GAZEBO AND STAGE, TREES, DECORATIVE LIGHTING AND OTHER AMENITY TAZ REFLECT THAT HISPANIC AND LATIN CULTURE.

>> THE CAPITOL HILL DISTRICT IS IN OKLAHOMA CITY COUNCILWOMAN JOE BETH HAMMOND's WARD SIX.

THIS WILL GROW REVENUES AND CREATE JOBS.

>> IT HELPS TO INFUSE THAT MONEY AND WE'RE PAYING EMPLOYEES VERSUS GOING OFF TO A LARGE, YOU KNOW, FRANCHISE OR CORPORATION THAT IS NOT LOCALLY BASED AND SPENDING ALL OF THOUGH DOLLARS LOCALLY.

>> AS THE PLAZA's CONSTRUCTION GETS UNDERWAY IN SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF DOWNTOWN, ANOTHER CULTURAL DISTRICT IS THRIVING, THE ASIAN DISTRICT.

>> I THINK SO MUCH IS ABOUT THE CULTURE AND THE FOOD THAT EXISTS HERE BECAUSE I THINK OKLAHOMA CITY REALLY LOVES BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.

>> STEVE LAY SAYS THE FOOD AND DRINK IN THE ASIAN DISTRICT ARE WAYS TO ATTRACT SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE DISTRICT.

>> WE DO A COLLABORATION WITH OKLAHOMA FOOD TOURISTS AND SO WE BASICALLY TAKE YOU ON A NICE WALKING TOUR TO SOME OF OUR BUSINESSES, WHETHER THAT'S LIKE COFFEE.

WHEN YOU GET TO TRY A LITTLE BIT AT EACH PLACE, YOU GET TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF THE FOOD AND ALL THOSE THINGS.

IT'S A SET TICKET PRICE.

>> ANOTHER ATTRACTION WHICH IS POPULAR AMONG VISITORS IS THE ASIAN FESTIVAL IN OCTOBER.

>> JUST THIS PAST YEAR, WE'VE EXPANDED IT TO TWO NIGHTS.

WE CLOSED DOWN AND IT'S MIRACULOUS.

WE LOVE SHUTTING DOWN ALL SIDES OF IT TO WHERE IT'S COMPLETELY WALKABLE.

THAT'S JUST SO GREAT FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> ABOUT 40,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE FESTIVAL LAST YEAR BUT THE AREA WASN'T ALWAYS KNOWN FOR ASIAN IMMIGRANTS.

>> OKLAHOMA, THE THIRD MOST SPOKEN LANGUAGE IS VIETNAMESE AND MAKES US PROUD WE'VE CREATED A HOME HERE.

>> THE DISTRICT GOT ITS START BECAUSE OF THE VIETNAM WAR AND SHORTLY AFTER THE FALL OF SIAGON, SEVERAL REFUGEES MOVED TO THE UNITED STATES AND HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

THE LADY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH PLAYED HOME TO 30 REFUGEE FAMILIES IN THE MID70s.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY OPENED ITS ARMS TO THE REFUGEES, RIGHT?

THE CHURCHES OPENED UP THEIR DOORS AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE PEOPLE SETTLING ALONG CLASSIN, FROM 23rd TO 36th STREET AND THEY'VE BEEN THERE EVER SINCE.

>> THE COUNCILMAN FOR OKLAHOMA CITY's WARD TWO INCLUDING THE ASIAN DISTRICT AND CONCLUDES THE CULTURAL DISTRICT HELPS IT STAND OUT TO OTHER CITIES.

>> WHAT MAYBES US DIFFERENT THAN DALLAS ARE THOSE PEOPLE, RIGHT?

AND SOMETHING I TAKE GREAT, KIND OF OFFENSE TO, IS THIS IDEA OF, OH, CAN'T WE BE LIKE DALLAS AND HAVE SPRAWLING STRIP MALLS AND BIG MANSIONS?

WHY WOULD WE WANT TO REPLICATE WHEN WE HAVE SO MUCH HISTORY HERE WE COULD HONOR.

>> HISTORY IS BEING HONORED IN NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA CITY AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF SIFT MOVEMENT.

THEY ARE REDEVELOPING THE AREA WHERE CLAIRE AND HER STUDENTS CAME UP WITH THE IDEA.

ON NORTHEAST 23rd STREET, THERE'S TALK OF A HOTEL DEVELOPMENT TO THE WORKS.

WHILE THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ALL DISTRICTS, GLORIA TOREZ SAYS THIS IS FOR AREA RESIDENTS.

>> WE'RE NOT BUILDING THIS AS A BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME.

THIS IS OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND IT'S FOR OUR CURRENT RESIDENTS.

>> DURING A CEREMONY JUST BEFORE THE GROUNDBREAKING ON WEDNESDAY, TOREZ NOTED THIS PROJECT COULD HAVE AN EVERLASTING IMPACT ON SHAPING OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> WITH EVERY BRICK LAID AND EVERY EVENT POSTED, THE PLAZA WILL CONTINUE TO BECOME A REFLECTION OF THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> MORE DEVELOPMENT IS LIKELY SOON FOR THESE DISTRICTS AND OTHERS AND DISTRICT LEADERS PLAN TO ASK VOTERS TO SPUR MILLIONS IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS.

>>> DEVON ENERGY TOPS THIS WEEK's "OKLAHOMA REVIEW."

THEY'RE MAKING PROMOTIONS AND AN ADDITION TO THE EXECUTIVE TEAM.

JOHN REINS IS FOR E &P. HE OVERSEES THE BASIN.

TREY LOWE HAS BEEN A VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER FOR DEVON AND A SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND RETAIN THE TITLE OF CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER.

HE JOINED IN 2005.

JOINING AS THE NEW SENIOR PRESIDENT OF E &P WAS TOM HELLMAN.

QUIK TRIP FOUNDER PASSED AWAY.

THE FIRST QT OPENED IN SEPTEMBER OF 968.

1968.

THERE ARE A THOUSAND STORES IN 17 STATES EMPLOYING 17,000 PEOPLE.

>>> MORE THAN 700 MEGAWATTS OF SOLAR POWER IS BUILT IN EASTERN OKLAHOMA TO SUPPORT THE POWER NEEDS OF THE GOOGLE DATA CENTER IN PRIOR.

DALLAS-BASED LEEWARD RENEWABLE ENERGY OR LRE IS MANAGING THE PROJECTS.

THE POWER WILL BE DELIVERED TO GOOGLE THROUGH THE GRAND RIVER DAM AUTHORITY.

>>> RARE AUTHORITY HIT A MILESTONE PRODUCING THE FIRST BATCH THE CENTRED PERMANENT RARE EARTH MAGNETS.

THAT'S A TYPE OF POWERFUL MAGNET IN METALS LIKE IRON AND COBALT.

THE MAGNETS ARE USED FROM CELL PHONE TOWERS TO AIR FORCE JETS AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

U.S.A. RARE EARTH HAS SET A GOAL TO START COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION AT THE STILLWATER FACILITY IN 2026.

>>> O K.C.

FOR SOCCER IS ASKINGER FOR HELP TO NAME THE TEAM WHEN THE MULTIPURPOSE STADIUM IS FINISHED.

THE POLLING QUESTION NEAR CAN BE FOUND AT ENERGYSC.COM.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> Rich: OKLAHOMA's TRADITIONAL WILDFIRE SEASON IS UNDERWAY AND IS FAR, SO GOOD.

BUT AFTER WITNESSING THE ONGOING DEVASTATION IN LOS ANGELOS, WE WONDERED COULD WHAT HAPPENED THERE EVER HAPPEN HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

THAT IS THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK's IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

>> JOINING US IS JOHN WEIR, AN EXTENSION SPECIALIST AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY.

DREW DAILY, THE DEPUTY FIRE MANAGEMENT CHIEF AT THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTRY SERVICES.

WE'RE JOINED BY JEFF CHOTES, THE FIRE QUARTER FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS.

>> COULD WE SEE A CATASTROPHEIC LIKE WE SAW IN CALIFORNIA, HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> WE LIVE IN FLAMMABLE STATE AND FUELS AND PROBABLY NOT TO THE EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION.

WE DON'T HAVE THE POPULATION OR THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THEY HAVE.

BUT AT OUR LOCAL SCALE, IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING FOR SURE.

>> DREW.

>> AS FAR AS THE NUMBER OF STRUCTURES LOST, THAT'S UNLIKELY.

BUT THERE'S PRECEDENT FOR US TO HAVE FAIRLY CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES.

IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE'VE BURNED OVER A MILLION ACRES.

AND WE CAN JUST REACH BACK TO APRIL 9th OF 2009, WHERE WE HAD A VERY SIGNIFICANT WILDFIRE THAT OCCURRED ON THE EAST SIDE OF OKLAHOMA CITY, WEST CITY, A NUMBER OF STRUCTURES LOST IN THAT FIRE AND THE LEVEL OF CATASTROPHE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, MOST LIKELY NOT.

WHAT AFFECTS LIVES AND LIVELILIHOODS, WITHOUT A DOUBT.

>> JEFF?

>> I COMPLETELY CONCUR WITH THE OTHER TWO GUYS.

AS FAR AS THE POPULATION, NO, WE DO NOT HAVE THAT HERE, LIKE THEY DO IN CALIFORNIA.

I AGREE, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE GRASS PASTURE, THAT KIND OF THING COULD BE REALLY CATASTROPHIC FOR LOCAL FARMERS.

>> THE WILDFIRE SEASON IS UNDERWAY, BUT YOU SAID EARLIER, WILDFIRE YEAR?

>> FOR THE MOST PART, OUR WILDFIRE SEASON TYPICALLY STARTED HERE IN OKLAHOMA IN NOVEMBER AND RAN THROUGH ABOUT THE FIRST PART OF APRIL.

IT COINCIDES WITH THE ONSET OF FROST AND OUR FUELS DRYING OUT.

THERE'S LEAVING FALLS OFF THE TREES AND GETTING INTO WINTER.

DECEMBER, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY ARE THE THREE DRYEST MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

WE RECEIVED THE LEAST AMOUNT OF RAINFALL AND STARTS OUR WINTER WEATHER PATTERN WHERE THE JET COMES DOWN AND WE SEE CHANGES IN OUR WEATHER PATTERN AND A LOT OF OCCURRENCES AS OF DRY COLD FRONTS PUSHING THE HUMIDITY INTO THE TEENS AND SINGLE DIGITS.

AND ALSO, WE HAVE THOSE DRY FRONTS WITH STRONG WINDS CAUSING MOST OF THE WILDFIRES TO OCCUR.

WHEN WILDFIRES ARE TYPICALLY WIND DRIVEN.

IF YOU SEE LARGE AND DESTRUCTIVE WILDFIRES, IT'S WIND DRIVEN.

>> THE WILDFIRE FORECAST FOR 2025 IS PREDICTED TO HAVE ABOVE NORMAL POTENTIAL IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE STATE.

WHAT SHA PEOPLE KNOW?

>> WE HAVE A FIRE YEAR.

OUR AGENCY RESPONDS AND WE BARELY PUT TOGETHER A SINGLE DAY WHERE WE DO NOT RESPOND TO A WILDFIRE.

HISTORICALLY, THE MAJORITY OF THE WILDFIRES ARE IN MARCH.

AND AS FAR AS THE HIGHEST NUMBER, THE BIGGEST NUMBER OF ACRES IS USUALLY IN APRIL.

WE HAVE FIRES ACROSS THE ENTIRETY OF THE CALENDAR YEAR.

WE NEED TO BE COGNIZANT OF THE WEATHER PATTERNS, STATE OF THE FUELS AND WHERE THAT FIRE DANGER LINES UP ON THE LANDSCAPE.

WE LOOK FOR THAT ALIGNMENT.

THE MORE ACTIVE THE FIRE IS, HOT, DRY, WINDY, THE LONGER FUELS HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FROM THE PRECIPITATION THAT JOHN REFERRED TO, THE DRIER THEY BECOME, THE MORE ALIGNMENT AND MORE AGGRESSIVE FIRES APPEAR ON THE LANDSCAPE.

ON AN EVERY DAY BASIS, SEVERAL DAYS INTO THE FUTURE TRYING TO ASSESS TO GET THAT MESSAGING OUT.

WHETHER THAT BE THROUGH AGENCIES OR THROUGH OUR COOPERATORS THAT SIT HEAR AT THE TABLE, THROUGH MEDIA, ALONGSIDE THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, THIS IS TRYING TO GET A UNIFIED MESSAGE THAT IS TARGETED AT WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND THEN ALSO SOMETHING THAT JOHN AND I HAVE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED THIS IS THE PREPARENESS.

THIS BEGINS LONG BEFORE WILDFIRES EVER OCCUR.

OCCUR.

>> OUR FIREFIGHTERS PLAY SUCH A CRUCIAL ROLE.

HOW MANY RURAL FIREFIGHTERS VERSUS PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS?

>> SPEAKING OF THE FOUR COUNTIES WHICH IS OKLAHOMA, CLEVELAND, LOGAN AND CANADIAN, THERE IS OVER 1840 FIREFIGHTERS AND 500 OF THOSE ARE VOLUNTEERS.

>> VOLUNTEER.

>> OVER THE STATEWIDE, THERE IS OVER 12,000 VOLUNTEERS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

OKLAHOMA.

>> SO MAKE UP A LARGE PORTION?

>> A HUGE PORTION.

>> WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL?

>> AS FAR AS THE RURAL FIRE COORDINATOR, I ASSIST THE FOUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS WITH, YOU KNOW, GRANTS, FUNDING, TRUCKS, YOU KNOW, GETTING EQUIPMENT AND KEEPING THEN CERTIFIED.

ANYTHING OVER TEN THOUSAND POPULATION CAN BE A CERTIFIED DEPARTMENT IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THERE'S 11 OF US FIRE QUARTERS COORDINATORS THAT HELP WITH THAT.

>> HISTORICALLY, OKLAHOMA HAS HAD FIREFIGHTERS AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE ONE IN APRIL OF TWAIN.

HAVE WE SEEN ANYTHING TO THE LEVEL OF DEVASTATION WE'VE SEEN IN LOS ANGELOS?

>> LARGE WILDFIRES IN OKLAHOMA HAS HAD ITS SHARE.

IF YOU LOOK, I LOOKED AND IN 2016, WE HAD THE LARGEST FIRE IN NATION AS WELL AS NUMBER NINE FIRE.

IN 2017, WE HAD THE NUMBER ONE FIRE AGAIN AND IN 2018, THE LARGEST FIRE AND THAT'S IN THE ENTIRE U.S.

INCLUDING ALASKA AS FOR NUMBER OF ACRES BURNED.

SO DEFINITELY WE CAN HAVE THAT AND WE'VE HAD OTHER YEAR'S, AGAIN, WE GET TOTALS, BUT THOSE THREE YEARS -- THREE YEARS IN A ROW, WE WERE IN THE TOP OF THE NATION FOR WILDFIRE SIZE OR THE LARGEST WILDFIRES THAT HAD OCCURRED IN THE NATION.

SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT.

JUST LIKE I THINK WE MENTIONED YEAR.

AS FOR THE SCALE OF DEVASTATION THAT YOU SEE THAT'S GOING ON IN CALIFORNIA NOW, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THAT.

I THINK I READ ONE THING AND THAT IS OCCURRING IN PASADENA COUNTY, WHERE MOST OF THAT IS.

I THINK THERE'S OVER 5 MILLION PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN PASADENA COUNTY FROM WHAT I SAW.

WE HAVE BARELY FOUR MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> JOHN, ON THAT NOTE, I'LL TELL YOU, THEY ISSUED THAT PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

IN THE FOOTPRINT OF THE POLYGON WAS EIGHT MILLION PEOPLE.

THAT WOULD BE OKLAHOMA, NEBRASKA AND KANSAS.

SO THE LEVEL, BUT, AGAIN, THINK ABOUT THIS -- THAT'S A LARGE LEVEL OF DEVASTATION.

BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE LEVEL IS.

IF YOU'RE THE INDIVIDUAL IMPACTED, IT'S TRAPPESIC.

TRAGIC.

WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS HERE AND WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER.

NOT ONLY THE LAND OWNERS AND RANCHERS, BUT THE PEOPLE THAT MOVE INTO THE EDGES OF THOSE AND THING LIKE THAT.

>> DREW, WHAT ABOUT WATER?

WE'RE PUTTING OUT ALL OF THIS AND WHAT ABOUT WATER?

AND HOW DO YOU COLLABORATE?

WHAT IF ONE DEPARTMENT NEEDS MORE WATER?

>> YOU HIT ON A WORD "COLLABORATE."

THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF THAT AND THERE'S A LOT OF PARTNERSHIP.

I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO DEEP INTO THE SEMANTICS, BUT WE PARTNER IN A LOT THAT WE DO.

IT TAKES ALL OF US.

FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND THE TRIBAL LEVEL AND THE STATE LEVEL, WORKING ALONGSIDED LOCAL ENTITIES.

THERE'S A BIGGER PICTURE THAT INCLUDES OSU EXTENSION.

THIS INCLUDES A BUNCH OF ECOLOGICAL ENTITIES.

IT'S NO LONGER FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FORESTRY ENGAGED.

IT TAKES ALL OF US.

THE FUEL SCAPE HAS CHANGED.

THE FIRE ENVIRONMENT HAS CHANGED.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE WATER ISSUE, WE'RE FORTUNATE IN OKLAHOMA WE HAVE A LOT OF IMIMPOUNDMENTS AND FROM THE WORD SUPPLY, WHETHER IT BE THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION TO MOST OF THE MUNICIPAL AREAS IN THE STATE.

THOSE ARE AVAILABLE TO US FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION.

IT'S A VERY LARGE CONCERTED EFFORT FOR ALL FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO HAUL THE WATER.

FOR THE MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLIES TO SUPPLY WATER AND WE LEVERAGE SOME OF THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY.

SOME OF THESE LARGER FAIRS THAT LARGER FIRES, ITWAS CRITICAL INR FOR MANY OF THE FIRES THAT WE ENCOUNTER.

SO AS FAR AS GETTING WATER TO INCIDENTS, THE VIETNAM OF WATERE ISSUE BUT CAN WE GET TO WHERE WE NEED IT, WHEN WE NEED IT.

>> CEDAR TREES ARE WELL-KNOWN AND WHERE ARE THEY PROBLEMATIC AND HOW DO WE TAKE CARE OF THEM?

>> NUMBER ONE CULPRIT, AND WE HAVE OTHER ONES.

IT'S ONE OF THE FEW PLANTS THAT DOESN'T RESPROUT.

IF YOU TAKE A CHAINSAW AND CUT IT AT THE GROUND LEVEL, IT WON'T COME BACK.

YOU CUT AN OAK TREE OFF AND IT WILL SPROUT BACK OUT AND HAS THE ABILITY.

FIRE KEPT IT AT BAY.

WELL, AGAIN, AS SETTLEMENT COMES, FAIR WAS SUPPRESSED, CEDAR SPREAD AND IT WAS PLANTED BECAUSE IT'S TO A POINT THAT PEOPLE VIEW AS ORNAMENTAL AND GROWS QUICKLY AND RAPIDLY AND THAT'S WHY IT SPREAD.

SO CEDAR IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE BECAUSE IT DOES HAVE VOLATILE OILS IN IT.

SO IT ADS TO THE FIRE COMPONENT, TO THE INTENSITY AND ADD TO THE SPREAD AND NOT ONLY THROUGH THAT INTENSITY.

IT PUTS OUT EMBERS THAT SPOT DISTANCES.

YOU HAVE CAN HAVE SPOTTING UP TO A SINGLE SOURCE SO THEY'RE PROBLEMATIC NOT ONLY FOR THE PEOPLE ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT IN THE PATH OF THAT.

SO THE BIGGEST WAY TO REDUCE THE CEDAR PROBLEM IS GOING SETTING MORE FIRE.

IT'S FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE.

AND THAT IS, FOR LANDOWNERS, THAT'S THE MOST ECONOMIC CAL WAY.

>> VERY QUICKLY HERE, A LARGE PART IS MAKING FIREFIGHTERS HAVE EQUIPMENT AND RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED.

THIS COULD SUPPORT FIRES IN THE RURAL AREAS AND DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD HELP?

>> IT WOULD BE A HUGE HELP.

THERE'S OVER 12,000 VOLUNTEERS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

BUT ONE OF OUR BIGGEST ISSUES IS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION AND A LOT OF SMALL TOWNS THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO KEEP ANYTHING THERE.

YOU HAVE FAMILIES AND KID's SPORTING GOODS AND CHURCH GOINGS.

I BELIEVE A LITTLE BIT MIGHT >> NEED ALL OF THE HELP THEY CAN GET.

WE'RE JUST OUT OF TIME, WE TALKED ABOUT THE WIND HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

HAVE A FIRE, WHAT IF THE WIND TOOK THAT EMBER?

>> MOST OFTEN, IT'S LOST BY EMBER WASH COMING FROM ANOTHER FIRE.

AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

YOU'RE SEEING MASS DEVASTATION AND WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE, EMBER WASH IS WASHING OVER THESE AREAS, LANDING IN A GUTTER WITH LEAF DEBRIS.

IT COULD BE A LAWN CHAIR OR WOODEN DECK.

EMBER WASH IS A CONCERN AND SOMETHING THAT WE AS FIREFIGHTERS ARE VERY CONCERNED WITH.

AND WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN CALIFORNIA IS A CATASTROPHE.

FIREFIGHTERS, THEIR OBJECTIVE IS TO PROTECT LIFE AND HAVING TO COMMIT SO MANY RESOURCES TO THE EVACUATION, THEY'RE TURNING A CONCERN TO GET ON TO THE PERIMETER CONTROL, BUT HAVING TO PROTECT LIFE AND LIVELIHOOD FIRST IS THE OBJECTIVE.

>> THAT'S ALL OF THE THE TIME WE HAVE.

TIME WE HAVE AND THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Rich: A GREAT CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ACCORDING TO THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS, THE LARGEST RAILWAY WINDS THROUGH THE PONDEROSA FOREST OF OREGON AND MEET THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP TRAINS RUNNING ON TIME.

THIS IS COURTESY OF OREGON PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>> HAVING A MODEL RAILROAD AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE, THAT'S WHERE IT STARTS FOR A LOT OF US.

IT SNOWBALLS UNTIL YOU GET OUT TO, OH, HEY, LOOK, WE CAN RIDE ON THIS.

IT'S LIKE I HAVE TRAINS IN MY BLOOD OR SOMETHING.

I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT.

>> WELCOME TO TRAIN MOUNTAIN, THE LARGEST MINIATURE RAILROAD IN THE WORLD.

WITH 36 MILES 2800 ACRES OF PINE TRU-WEST.

>> AFTER THE 100Ss, YOU SAW.

SAW MINIATURE TRAINS.

>> NOWADAYS, YOU CAN BUY A MODEL TRAIN FROM THE STORE.

BUT SOME PEOPLE BUILD STEAM LOCOMOTIVES FROM SCRATCH.

>> THERE ARE LITTLE PARTS LIKE THIS RIGHT HERE THAT ARE TRICKY.

>> THIS IS MY FIRST LOCATE KOA LOCOMOTIVEAND I INVESTED SIX THO 8,000 HOURS TOTAL IN THE PROJECT.

>> WORKING ON THE TRAIN IS A BIG PART OF THE TRAIN MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE.

ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PLACES IS THE SHOP.

>> WE HAVE HILLS AND DRILL PRESSES AND WE HAVE GRINDERS, WELDERS AND JUST ABOUT YOU WOULD IN A MODERN SHOP.

ANOTHER IS REPLACING WORN-OUT TRACK.

THE TRACK PANELED ARE FABRICATED OUT OF RECYCLED TRACK.

THIS IS A TIME-CONSUMING PROCESS.

>> KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THAT WATER.

>> OK. >> WHILE MAJORITY OF TRAIN MOUNTAIN MEMBERS ARE RETIREES, A YOUNGER GENERATION IS GROWING UP INTO THE HOBBY.

CHRIS HAS COME TO TRAIN MOUNTAIN WITH HIS WIFE AND TWIN BOYS.

>> THEY HAD THEIR FIRST RIDE IN THEIR MOTHER's WOMB.

I'VE BEEN DOING THIS OVER 30 YEARS NOW AND I LOVE THE FACT I CAN SHARE THIS WITH MY BOYS.

GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THAT ONE.

THEY GET TO LEARN ABOUT TECHNOLOGY, MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND 19th SHUTTER TECHNOLOGY.

CENTURY TECHNOLOGY.

THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S ALIVE ABOUT A STEAM ENGINE.

IT KIND OF LEAVES AND BREEDS WITH THE FIRE AND WATER.

>> THERE ARE AS MANY TYPES OF TRAINS AS RIDERS AND NO MATTER WHAT YOU RIDE, IT'S FUN FOR ALL.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE THE FUN PLACE IS ON THE FRONT-END IN THE ENGINE OR THE VERY BACK.

ON THE VERY BACK, YOU WATCH IT GOING THROUGH ALL OF THE TURNS.

>> THEY GO, PROBABLY, FIVE MILES PER HOUR IS THE MAXIMUM SPEED, BUT WHEN YOU'RE DOWN THAT CLOSE TO THE GROUND, IT FEELS LIKE YOU'RE MOVING FAST.

THEY CAN BE EXCITING, BUT IT'S SAFE.

>> I BELIEVE WE'RE THE SEEDS OF THE NEW GENERATION, KEEPING THAT HISTORY ROLLING ALONG.

IT'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

THIS HOBBY IS HERE TO STAY.

>> THAT LOOKS GREAT!

>> Rich: WHY TO OKLAHOMA NATIVE AMERICAN HAVE A MUCH HIGHER CHANCE OF DYING FROM CANCER THAN THE REST OF THE POPULATION?

>>> THE WEATHER COULDN'T BE BETTER FOR LACING UP THE ICESKATES, SO SO LONG TO THE DEVON RINK.

YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONTENT BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE OETA.TV AND FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND X BY SEARCHING OETA O& R AND ON FACEBOOK, JUST SUCH THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

FOR ALL OF THAT PLAY A ROLE, I'M RICH LENZ AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!