Governor Greg Abbott has amended and renewed the disaster proclamation initially issued on October 14, 2024, in response to continuing elevated fire weather conditions threatening several Texas counties. The renewal aims to manage the ongoing risk of widespread or severe damage to life and property.
“The Texas Division of Emergency Management has confirmed that those same elevated fire weather conditions persist in certain counties in Texas,” stated Governor Abbott. The declared disaster now includes Brewster, Culberson, Dimmit, Edwards, El Paso, Frio, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kinney, La Salle, Maverick, Reeves, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, and Zavala counties.
Under Section 418.017 of the Texas Government Code, Governor Abbott has authorized the use of all available state resources, including those of political subdivisions, necessary to address the disaster. He also invoked Section 418.016, permitting the suspension of regulatory statutes and procedures that could hamper the emergency response efforts essential to protecting life and property. This provision applies during the period of the declared disaster, with certain statutes and rules around contracting and procurement potentially waived.
The proclamation’s statutory requirements ensure that copies are filed with the appropriate authorities. Governor Abbott signed the proclamation on May 3, 2025, in Austin, with Secretary of State Jane Nelson attesting.
