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Governor Abbott Announces Federal Assistance For Ross Fire In North Texas

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~ Governor Greg Abbott has 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 Ross Fire in Palo Pinto and Jack Counties. The wildfire, which has already caused damage to homes and property, prompted local evacuations and continues to threaten the area, will now receive additional support from the federal government.

In a statement, Governor Abbott expressed his gratitude to the Trump Administration for swiftly approving the grant. He also assured Texans that all necessary resources will be provided to protect them from the Ross Fire. He urged residents to limit any activities that could potentially spark another fire and to follow guidance from state and local officials in order to prevent further wildfires.

As of this morning, the Ross Fire has burned an estimated 50,000 acres and is only 5 percent contained. The severity of the situation led to overnight evacuations of approximately 630 homes in the surrounding area. State and local response personnel are currently working on suppressing and containing the fire while also ensuring public safety.

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The approval of a Fire Management Assistance Grant means that Texas is now eligible for 75 percent reimbursement from FEMA for eligible costs associated with wildfire suppression. These grants are available to states and local jurisdictions in order to support efforts in mitigating, managing, and controlling fires that have potential to become major disasters.

In addition to this grant, Governor Abbott has directed additional state wildfire response resources through TDEM (Texas Division of Emergency Management) to support local efforts across the state. These resources include firefighters, heavy equipment such as bulldozers and motor graders, firefighting aircrafts contracted by both state and federal agencies, as well as other emergency personnel.

The Texas A&M Forest Service is providing state, local, and out-of-state firefighters along with heavy equipment. The Texas Department of State Health Services has activated their Wildland Fire Support Packages consisting of medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles. The Texas National Guard has also been mobilized with Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters equipped for firefighting.

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Other state agencies such as the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Railroad Commission of Texas, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have also been directed to provide support in various areas such as monitoring road conditions, assisting stranded motorists, providing disaster assessment and recovery agents, monitoring power outages and natural gas supply, and conducting air/water/wastewater monitoring.

These resources are in addition to those that were previously deployed by the Governor to support local wildfire response efforts. TDEM and other agencies under the Texas Emergency Management Council are closely monitoring the situation as wildfire conditions continue to increase across the northern half of the state.

With little to no rainfall in most areas of Texas and consistently high temperatures reaching triple digits, the danger of wildfires remains a concern. Texans can access wildfire resources including safety tips, current fire information, and damage reporting tools through the Texas Disaster Portal online at disaster.texas.gov. It is important for residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions during this time.

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