Governor Abbott Announces Federal Assistance for Hunggate Fire in Texas Panhandle

Governor Abbott Announces Federal Assistance for Hunggate Fire in Texas Panhandle

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a request from the State of Texas for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Hunggate Fire in Randall County, which has threatened and damaged homes and infrastructure in the Texas Panhandle and forced local evacuations.

“Texas will provide all necessary resources to ensure the well-being of those affected by wildfires in the panhandle area,” said Governor Abbott. “I thank the Trump Administration for swiftly approving this grant, which will help support Texas’ response efforts. Texans are urged to limit any activities that can cause a spark and heed the guidance of state and local officials to prevent additional wildfires and keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”

As of this morning, the Hunggate Fire has merged with the Chocolate Chip Fire, burning an estimated 14,000 acres combined and 40% contained. The fire prompted the evacuation of approximately 350 homes and threatened more than 1,245 homes in the surrounding area. State and local response personnel are actively engaged in containment, suppression, and public safety operations.

The approval of a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) makes the State of Texas eligible for 75 percent reimbursement from the federal government for eligible costs associated with wildfire suppression. These grants are available to states and local jurisdictions to support the mitigation, management, and control of fires that threaten to become major disasters.

At the Governor's direction, state wildfire response resources remain deployed by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to support local wildfire response efforts across the state. TDEM and the Texas Emergency Management Council agencies continue to monitor increased wildfire conditions across areas of West and Northwest Texas.

Texans can find wildfire resources including safety tips, current fire information, and damage reporting tools in the TDEM Disaster Portal online at disaster.texas.gov.