Governor Greg Abbott has amended and renewed the disaster proclamation addressing drought conditions in several Texas counties as of December 18, 2025. The original proclamation was issued on July 8, 2022, and has since been updated multiple times due to ongoing concerns.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management confirmed that drought conditions continue in certain counties, contributing to an increased risk of wildfires. In response, Governor Abbott extended the disaster declaration for a list of affected counties including Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Blanco, Brewster, Brooks, Burnet, Caldwell, Cameron, Childress, Clay, Collingsworth, Colorado, Comal, Comanche, Culberson, DeWitt, Dimmit, Donley, Duval, Fayette, Foard, Frio, Gillespie, Gonzales, Grayson, Guadalupe, Hall, Hardeman, Hays, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, Kleberg, Lavaca, Live Oak, Llano , Lubbock , Matagorda , McMullen , Medina , Midland , Nueces , Pecos , Presidio , Real , San Patricio , Terrell , Travis , Uvalde , Val Verde , Victoria , Wharton , Willacy , Williamson , Wilson and Zapata.
Governor Abbott stated: “WHEREAS the Texas Division of Emergency Management has confirmed that those same drought conditions persist in certain counties in Texas and that the presence of drought conditions in certain counties contributes to increased wildfire danger; NOW THEREFORE in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code I do hereby amend and renew the aforementioned proclamation and declare a disaster…”
Under Section 418.017 of the Texas Government Code he authorized state government resources and political subdivisions to be used as needed to address this disaster. He also suspended regulatory statutes or agency rules that could delay necessary action during this period.
“In accordance with the statutory requirements copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities,” Governor Abbott said.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott is part of the executive branch of state government and operates from its primary offices at the State Insurance Building in Austin (official website). Since his election in 2014 (official website), Governor Abbott’s administration has led statewide initiatives on economic growth and emergency management (official website). The office delivers services across Texas (official website) and collaborates with local agencies during disasters.
Jane Nelson attested to the proclamation as Secretary of State.
