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Texas: Governor Abbott Activates Additional State Wildfire Resources, Updates Disaster Declaration Ahead Of Increased Fire Danger

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~ Governor Greg Abbott has taken action to prepare for potential wildfires and flooding in Texas by mobilizing state emergency response resources. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has been directed to activate additional resources in anticipation of a growing wildfire danger across the state and the potential for a flood risk through the weekend. The Governor has also amended and renewed the state's wildfire disaster declaration, which now includes 179 counties.

In a statement, Governor Abbott expressed concern over the elevated wildfire conditions and flood risk that continue to pose a threat across the state. He stated, "Today, I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to deploy additional resources in preparation for potential wildfires in the eastern half of the state and severe flooding in West Texas." He reassured Texans that the state will remain vigilant and provide all necessary resources to protect them from these threats.

According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, dry vegetation combined with increased winds and above-average temperatures creates an expanded wildfire potential in the eastern half of the state. The agency has raised its Wildland Fire Preparedness Level to Level 3, indicating that wildfire activity is impacting several regions of Texas due to drought, dry vegetation, or frequent fire weather events. In just one week, over 50 wildfires have burned more than 3,000 acres across the state.

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The National Weather Service has also issued warnings about heavy rainfall from storms moving northward over Mexico and into Far West Texas. This could lead to flash flooding over the weekend. Texans are urged to monitor forecasts carefully and follow directions from emergency officials.

At Governor Abbott's direction, various state emergency response resources are available to support local flood and wildfire response operations. These include more than 350 firefighters and support personnel from the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, as well as equipment such as fire engines, bulldozers, and motor graders. Additionally, there are over 35 federally contracted firefighting aircraft ready for deployment, including large air tankers, single-engine air tankers, and helicopters with firefighting capabilities.

Other resources include the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force, which has Wildland Fire and Severe Weather Support Packages consisting of medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles. The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service has also deployed Swiftwater Rescue Boat Squads to assist with flood rescues.

The state's Incident Management Team is also on standby to support deployed emergency response resources across Texas. Other agencies involved in the response efforts include the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas Department of Agriculture, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Railroad Commission of Texas, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

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Governor Abbott urges Texans to take necessary precautions to prevent wildfires and prepare for potential flooding. This includes making an emergency plan and keeping emergency supplies easily accessible. More information on wildfire and flood safety tips can be found at websites such as TexasReady.gov and tfsweb.tamu.edu. Road conditions can be checked at DriveTexas.org while all-hazards preparedness tips are available at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.

The Governor has been actively taking steps to provide all available resources to help support local communities and protect Texans from wildfire impacts. This includes activating additional wildfire response resources ahead of increased threats and directing the TDEM to activate state wildfire response resources while issuing a disaster declaration for wildfire danger. With these measures in place, Governor Abbott hopes to keep Texans safe during this time of heightened risk.

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