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Due to exceptional drought conditions in the panhandle and south Texas, Governor Greg Abbott issued a state of disaster on Friday, August 23. Abbott announced the state of disaster in Duval, Hall, Jim Hogg, Randall, Swisher, Webb and Zapata counties.

Media outlets covering the region are invited to attend a media day at Austin-Bergstrom Airport to get an up close look at the tanker base and aircraft. Airtanker pilots, managers and public information officers will be on site to update the media on the current situation regarding wildfires throughout Texas.

The Southern Area Type 1 Incident Management Red Team arrived in Texas this week to assist with the Copper Breaks Fire in Hardeman County. The Copper Breaks Fire is approximately 11 miles southwest of Quanah, Texas, and is currently 8,380 acres and 40% contained.

Texas A&M Forest Service is opening the Austin Airtanker Base at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to assist with increased wildfire activity across the state.

Over the last 14 days in West Texas, temperatures climbed over 100 degrees and the last significant rain occurred in June, resulting in dry conditions ripe for wildfire ignition. Local fire departments responded to multiple fires sparked by welding in the last week.

The Maydelle Volunteer Fire Department received a $200,000 cost share grant from the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. The grant was used to help purchase a new water tender. “Our department faced a challenge of water shortage,” said Fire Chief Jody Gray. “This new 2019 Freightliner with a […]

Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire departments remind people operating equipment outdoors to be aware of current conditions to help reduce wildfires. Over the past week, Texas A&M Forest Service firefighters responded to six wildfires ignited by equipment use.

Smokey Bear, the face of the longest-running PSA campaign in United States history, turns 75 today, continuing his legacy of bringing awareness to unwanted, human-caused fires in America.

Weldon Volunteer Fire Department received a $200,000 cost share grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The grant program is administered by Texas A&M Forest Service and was used to help purchase a tender that is designed to transport water from its source to the scene of a fire. This new addition will […]

GHOLSON, Texas — Gholson Volunteer Fire Department added a new rescue/small brush truck totheir fleet thanks to a $45,000 grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Programadministered by Texas A&M Forest Service. “This new truck will be one of our first-out for wildland fires and rescue situations,” said GholsonVFD Fire Chief Mitch Vaughn. “The […]