Governor Abbott Activates Additional State Wildfire Response Resources Ahead of Critical Fire Danger

Governor Abbott Activates Additional State Wildfire Response Resources Ahead of Critical Fire Danger

Governor Abbott announced today that he directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate additional state wildfire response resources in anticipation of elevated-to-critical fire weather conditions in large areas of South, West, and Northwest Texas this week.

"Texas stands ready to deploy all necessary resources to thwart any wildfire threats in our state," said Governor Abbott. "Today, I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to deploy additional resources in preparation of potential wildfire danger this week. Texans are urged to create an emergency plan, heed the guidance of state and local officials, and limit any activities that can cause a spark to best keep themselves and loved ones safe."

According to the National Weather Service, elevated fire weather conditions are forecast for parts of South Texas today and the Panhandle tomorrow, due to dry fuels, strong winds, and above-average temperatures. The weather pattern is setting up for critical fire weather conditions across the High Plains, South Plains, Permian Basin, Big Bend, and West Texas regions midweek, particularly on Tuesday, where wind gusts, daytime heating, and low relative humidity could significantly increase the risk of wildfires. This heightened fire danger is expected to last at least through the later half of the week.

At the direction of Governor Abbott, the following state wildfire response resources remain available to support local wildfire response operations:

• Texas A&M Forest Service (Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System): More than 250 state, local, and out-of-state firefighters and support personnel; More than 75 pieces of heavy equipment such as bulldozers and motor graders; and more than 25 federally contracted firefighting aircraft including large air tankers, single-engine air tankers for retardant drops, super scoopers for water drops, air attack platforms for surveillance and spotting, an aerial supervision module for aerial guidance
• Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Wildland Fire and Severe Weather Support Packages consisting of medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles
• Texas National Guard: Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters with firefighting capability
• Texas Department of Transportation: Personnel monitoring road conditions
• Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Highway Patrol Troopers to patrol roadways and assist stranded motorists
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game Wardens, State Park Police
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Animal Health Commission: Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents as well as AgriLife Extension Agents to support agricultural and livestock needs
• Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring and coordination with utility providers
• Railroad Commission of Texas: Monitoring of the state’s natural gas supply and communication with the oil and gas industry
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air/water/wastewater monitoring

These resources are mobilized in addition to state resources previously deployed by the Governor to support local wildfire response efforts.

Texans are urged to make an emergency plan, pack an emergency supply kit, and avoid activities that create sparks. Texans can access wildfire tips and safety information at tfsweb.tamu.edu and TexasReady.gov. All-hazards disaster preparedness information is located at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.

Governor Abbott continues to take action to provide all available resources to help protect Texans from the effects of wildfires, including:

• ‍Updating the state’s wildfire disaster declaration amid ongoing threats‍
• Deploying additional resources ahead of elevated wildfire conditions ‍
• Renewing and amending the state’s wildfire disaster declaration‍
• Mobilizing additional resources in anticipation of elevated wildfire conditions‍
• Amending the state’s disaster declaration for wildfire impacts‍
• Activating additional wildfire response resources ahead of increased wildfire threats‍
• Directing TDEM to activate state wildfire response resources and issuing a disaster declaration for wildfire danger