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Texas: Governor Abbott Activates Additional State Wildfire Response Resources Ahead Of Increased Fire Danger

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~ Governor Abbott has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety of Texans as the state prepares for potential wildfire threats. In a press release today, he announced the activation of additional state wildfire response resources in areas of potential risk across West and Northwest Texas.

"As Texas closely monitors potential wildfire threats, our state is ready to deploy all necessary resources to at-risk communities," said Governor Abbott. He urged Texans to create an emergency plan and limit any activities that could cause a spark, while also following the guidance of state and local officials.

According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, there is an increased potential for wildfires in North and West Texas, including Texoma and the Panhandle. This threat is expected to expand westward to the South Plains, Permian Basin, and Big Country regions. Dry vegetation and breezy conditions may contribute to elevated fire weather conditions in these areas.

In response to Governor Abbott's direction, several state agencies have made resources available to support local wildfire response operations. These include firefighters and support personnel from the Texas A&M Forest Service's Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, as well as heavy equipment such as bulldozers and motor graders. Additionally, there are over 15 federally contracted firefighting aircraft on standby, including large air tankers, single-engine air tankers for retardant drops, super scoopers for water drops, air attack platforms for surveillance and spotting, and an aerial supervision module for aerial guidance.

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Other agencies involved in this coordinated effort include the Texas Department of State Health Services with their Wildland Fire and Severe Weather Support Packages consisting of medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles; the Texas National Guard with Blackhawk helicopters equipped for firefighting; the Texas Department of Transportation monitoring road conditions; the Texas Department of Public Safety providing assistance to stranded motorists; game wardens and state park police from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; disaster assessment and recovery agents from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Animal Health Commission; and the Public Utility Commission of Texas monitoring power outages and coordinating with utility providers.

The Railroad Commission of Texas is also involved in this effort, monitoring the state's natural gas supply and communicating with the oil and gas industry. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is responsible for air, water, and wastewater monitoring, while the Texas Health and Human Services Commission provides information on available services through the 2-1-1 Texas Information Referral Network.

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Texans can access wildfire tips and safety information at tfsweb.tamu.edu and TexasReady.gov. They can also find all-hazards disaster preparedness information at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.

Governor Abbott has taken several actions to ensure that all available resources are being utilized to protect Texans from the effects of wildfires. This includes 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 threats, and directing TDEM to activate state wildfire response resources while issuing a disaster declaration for wildfire danger.

As Texans prepare for potential wildfires, Governor Abbott urges everyone to stay informed and follow safety precautions to prevent any further risks. By working together, we can protect our homes, businesses, and each other from these dangerous fires.

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