Governor Greg Abbott has activated additional state wildfire response resources in anticipation of increased fire danger expected across western and northwestern Texas through the upcoming weekend.
“As Texas closely monitors potential wildfire threats, our state is ready to deploy all necessary resources to at risk communities,” said Governor Abbott. “Today, I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate additional response resources across West and Northwest Texas in areas of potential wildfire risk. I strongly urge Texans to create an emergency plan, limit any activities that can cause a spark, and heed the guidance of state and local officials. Together, we can prevent elevating the risk of these wildfires and protect our homes, businesses, and each other.”
The Texas A&M Forest Service has identified increased wildfire potential in North and West Texas, including Texoma and the Panhandle. The risk is expected to expand westward into the South Plains, Permian Basin, and Big Country regions due to dry vegetation and breezy weather conditions.
In response to these risks, multiple agencies are involved in supporting local operations. Resources include firefighting personnel from state, local, and out-of-state sources; heavy equipment such as bulldozers; more than 15 federally contracted firefighting aircraft; medics with ambulances; Blackhawk helicopters from the National Guard; road monitoring teams; patrol troopers; game wardens; disaster assessment agents for agriculture needs; animal health coordinators; power outage monitoring staff; natural gas supply monitors; environmental quality inspectors; and personnel providing information on available services through the 2-1-1 network.
Texans are encouraged to review wildfire safety information at tfsweb.tamu.edu or TexasReady.gov. Additional disaster preparedness details are available at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.
Governor Abbott’s administration continues efforts to address wildfire threats by renewing disaster declarations, mobilizing extra resources ahead of elevated fire conditions, amending declarations as needed for wildfire impacts, activating additional response assets before anticipated threats arise, and directing emergency management agencies accordingly.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott forms part of the executive branch of state government https://gov.texas.gov/. Governor Abbott has led this office since his election in 2014 https://gov.texas.gov/, maintaining its main offices in Austin at the State Insurance Building https://gov.texas.gov/. The office oversees statewide service delivery https://gov.texas.gov/ with a focus on public safety initiatives among other priorities.
