Texas Governor Rick Perry has requested FEMA to issue an emergency declaration for 199 Texas counties based on the threat of wildfires. Perry also has authorized additional state resources to combat the ongoing wildfires across the state.
Wildfires have burned more than 100,000 acres in Texas in recent days, fueled by drought and high winds.
“The rapidly spreading wildfire threat across North Texas demonstrates how quickly conditions can change and the importance of heeding warnings from local officials,” Gov. Perry said. “I urge Texans, particularly in the northern part of our state, to exercise extreme caution and monitor the situation closely.”
The pending FEMA declaration would provide federal assets and firefighting resources to assist the state in battling ongoing wildfires. Perry originally requested this declaration on Feb.24, 2009. His request was denied on March 17, 2009, and appealed on March 20, 2009.
Firefighters continued to battle more than 20 major fires burning across 60,000 acres as of April 10. Widespread and welcome rain in the state on Sunday, April 13 has helped to diminish some of the blazes.
On April 9, 49 major fires across Texas resulted in more than 100,000 acres burned, destroying the small cities of Stoneburg and Sunset in Montague County. Forty-three fire departments from Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Ellis, Grayson and Collin counties responded to the urgent request for fire fighting assistance under the statewide mutual aid agreement.
Since Jan. 1, 2009, wildfires in Texas have burned approximately 240,000 acres, destroying 161 homes and damaging 20. Due to proactive efforts, firefighters have been able to save 5,939 threatened homes. While weather conditions are expected to improve today, with higher humidity and calmer winds, the State Operations Center stands at the highest level of activation.
Based on the recent wildfires, the governor is adding Clay, Cooke, Hamilton, Jack, Montague and Wichita counties to the state disaster proclamation for counties threatened by wildfire conditions.
Source: Texas Governor’s Office
Topics Catastrophe Texas Wildfire
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