Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate additional wildfire response resources in anticipation of elevated-to-critical fire weather conditions expected this week across large portions of South, West, and Northwest Texas.
“Texas stands ready to deploy all necessary resources to thwart any wildfire threats in our state,” said Governor Abbott. “Today, I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to deploy additional resources in preparation of potential wildfire danger this week. Texans are urged to create an emergency plan, heed the guidance of state and local officials, and limit any activites that can cause a spark to best keep themselves and loved ones safe.”
The National Weather Service forecasts increased fire risk for parts of South Texas today and the Panhandle tomorrow due to dry fuels, strong winds, and above-average temperatures. Critical fire weather is expected midweek in regions including the High Plains, South Plains, Permian Basin, Big Bend, and West Texas. The combination of wind gusts, daytime heating, and low humidity could significantly raise wildfire risks through at least the latter half of the week.
In response to these conditions, several agencies remain mobilized under Governor Abbott’s direction:
– The Texas A&M Forest Service has deployed more than 250 firefighters and support personnel from state, local, and out-of-state teams. Over 75 pieces of heavy equipment such as bulldozers are available along with more than 25 federally contracted firefighting aircraft.
– The Texas Department of State Health Services has sent Wildland Fire and Severe Weather Support Packages with medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles.
– The Texas National Guard has Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters equipped for firefighting.
– The Texas Department of Transportation is monitoring road conditions.
– The Texas Department of Public Safety is providing Highway Patrol Troopers for roadway patrols and motorist assistance.
– Game Wardens from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are involved alongside State Park Police.
– Disaster Assessment Agents from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Animal Health Commission are supporting agricultural needs.
– The Public Utility Commission is monitoring power outages while coordinating with utility providers.
– The Railroad Commission oversees natural gas supply communications with oil and gas industries.
– The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality monitors air, water, and wastewater.
These measures add to previous deployments by Governor Abbott aimed at supporting local wildfire response efforts.
Residents are encouraged to prepare emergency plans, assemble supply kits, avoid activities that could start fires, and access safety information via tfsweb.tamu.edu or TexasReady.gov. Additional disaster preparedness information is available at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.
Governor Abbott continues actions such as updating disaster declarations related to wildfires; deploying resources ahead of elevated conditions; renewing or amending disaster declarations; mobilizing assets in anticipation; activating further response resources; directing TDEM activation; and issuing declarations specific to wildfire dangers.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott operates statewide from its primary offices in Austin at the State Insurance Building https://gov.texas.gov/. Since his election in 2014 https://gov.texas.gov/, Governor Abbott has led initiatives focused on job creation, economic opportunities, education enhancement, individual liberties protection, parental empowerment in schooling decisions, as well as southern border security https://gov.texas.gov/. Under his leadership https://gov.texas.gov/, the office has been recognized nationally—including when TIME listed him among its 100 Most Influential People in 2024 https://gov.texas.gov/—and played a role in record employment growth for the state https://gov.texas.gov/.
