Federal Assistance for Rest Area, Crabapple Wildfires Incoming

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Texas’ request for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) to help battle the Rest Area Fire in Gray County and the Crabapple Fire in Gillespie County.

“Texas is working around the clock to provide all necessary resources to local officials fighting wildfires in Gray and Gillespie counties,” Governor Abbott said. “With the approval of these Fire Management Assistance grants, we will continue to support our brave firefighters as they battle these dangerous blazes. The safety and well-being of Texans is our No. 1 priority, and we will work tirelessly to ensure impacted communities get the assistance they need.”

The FMAGs will allow Texas to receive 75% reimbursement from the federal government for costs related to combating the fires. These grants assist with mitigation, management, and control of wildfires on public or private land that pose a major disaster threat.

In response to the wildfires, Governor Abbott has deployed multiple state emergency resources to aid local firefighting efforts:

• Texas A&M Forest Service: Firefighters from local, state, and out-of-state agencies; fire engines, bulldozers, motor graders; firefighting aircraft, including large air tankers, single-engine air tankers, helicopters, and super scoopers for aerial support.
• Texas Division of Emergency Management: Coordination through the State Incident Management Team to manage deployed emergency resources.
• Texas National Guard: Deployment of Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters equipped for firefighting operations.
• Texas Department of State Health Services: Emergency medical teams with ambulances, medics, and all-terrain vehicles for firefighter support.
• Texas Department of Public Safety: Highway Patrol Troopers assisting stranded motorists and monitoring road safety.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game Wardens and State Park Police assisting in wildfire response efforts.
• Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Task Force 2: Urban Search and Rescue Teams deployed for emergency response.
• Texas Animal Health Commission & Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Coordination of agricultural and livestock resource needs.
• Texas Department of Transportation: Monitoring and responding to road conditions affected by the fires.
• Public Utility Commission of Texas: Monitoring power outages and coordinating with utility providers.
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air and water quality monitoring.
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission: Assisting affected Texans through the 2-1-1 Texas Information Referral Network.
• Texas Department of Information Resources: Overseeing technology infrastructure and ensuring communication networks remain operational.

Governor Abbott emphasized Texas’ commitment to protecting lives and property, thanking first responders for their bravery.

“I thank our first responders and brave firefighters for their work to protect their fellow Texans.”