Governor Abbott Provides Update on Texas Wildfires

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has provided an update on Texas’ response to the devastating wildfires. The governor noted the resources that are being deployed as the state and local emergency response personnel continue to fight the wildfires in the state’s Panhandle.

In a statement, Governor Abbott shared that “as Texans in the Panhandle respond to these devastating wildfires, the State of Texas continues working around the clock to swiftly provide the necessary resources to protect Texans.”

“The safety and well-being of impacted Texans is our No. 1 priority as the potential for more dangerous wildfires persists in the coming days,” he added. “We urge Texans to continue to heed the guidance of state and local officials and utilize tools that have been made available by the Texas Division of Emergency Management and local partners.”

The governor issued a disaster declaration last week for 60 Texas counties in response to the widespread wildfire activity.

A press release from the governor’s office informed that, as of yesterday morning, the following active wildfires have state ongoing support:

• Smokehouse Creek Fire, Hutchinson County: est. 1,076,638 acres, 15% contained
• Windy Deuce Fire, Moore County: 144,206 acres, 55% contained
• Grape Vine Creek Fire, Gray County: 34,882 acres, 60% contained
• Magenta Fire, Oldham County: 3,297 acres, 85% contained
• Roughneck Fire, Hutchinson County: est. 300 acres, 25% contained

Moreover, under the direction of the governor, the following state emergency response resources remain active to support the response efforts:

• Texas A&M Forest Service: Over 100 firefighters, heavy equipment such as bulldozers and motor graders; Aircraft including 7 Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), 5 Large Airtankers (LATs), 2 Multi-Engine Airtankers (Super Scoopers), 3 Air Attack Platforms, 1 Lead Plane, and 1 Aerial Supervision Module; All Hazards Incident Management Team personnel; 20 Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike teams comprised of over 340 personnel and over 95 fire engines; Over 175 out of state personnel to support state firefighting operations
• Texas Division of Emergency Management: Emergency response personnel to support requests for assistance from local officials; On-site personnel to support local impacted communities
• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1, Texas Task Force 2, and Texas A&M Public Works Response Team): Urban Search and Rescue Teams; Public Works Strike Teams
• Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team (VET): Animal veterinary services in impacted communities
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents as well as AgriLife Extension Agents to support agricultural and livestock needs
• Texas National Guard: Over 50 personnel; 6 helicopters, including Chinooks and Black Hawks with fire suppression capabilities that have dropped over 75,000 gallons of water so far
• Texas Department of Transportation: Personnel and equipment to assist with road closures; fuel for firefighting support
• Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Highway Patrol Troopers to assist with road closures and traffic control
• Texas Parks and Wildlife: Game Wardens to support local law enforcement
• Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): 6 Wildland Fire Support Packages including paramedics and ambulances; 5 Medical Incident Support Team personnel; Ambulance bus to support emergency medical mass care needs
• Texas Animal Health Commission: Personnel to provide livestock support
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air/water/wastewater monitoring