Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has renewed the wildfire disaster declaration that was initially issued in August 2023. The proclamation, signed on November 20, 2023, declares a disaster in multiple counties across the state due to the ongoing threat of wildfires.

The original disaster proclamation was issued on August 11, 2023, after wildfires began on July 24, 2023, and posed a significant risk to life and property. The Texas Division of Emergency Management has confirmed that these wildfire conditions continue to exist in several counties.

In the renewed proclamation, Governor Abbott stated, "I do hereby amend and renew the aforementioned proclamation and declare a disaster in Armstrong, Bailey, Baylor, Borden, Brewster, Briscoe, Brooks, Cameron, Carson, Castro, Cochran, Collin, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, Donley, Duval, Ector, El Paso, Garza, Glasscock, Gray, Hale, Hall, Haskell, Hemphill, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jack, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, King, Kinney, Knox, LaSalle, Lamb, Lipscomb, Martin, Maverick, Medina, Mitchell, Moore, Newton, Nolan, Oldham, Potter, Presidio, Reagan, Reeves, Refugio, Roberts, San Patricio, Scurry, Sherman, Starr, Stonewall, Terrell, Throckmorton, Upton, Val Verde, Ward, Webb, Wheeler, Wilbarger, Willacy, Winkler, Wise, Zapata, and Zavala Counties."

To effectively manage the disaster, Governor Abbott has authorized the use of all available resources of state government and political subdivisions. This includes suspending any regulatory statutes or orders that may hinder necessary action in coping with the disaster. The suspension of these statutes and rules will allow state agencies to respond effectively to protect life and property.

The governor emphasized the importance of taking swift action in response to the disaster. "Pursuant to Section 418.017 of the Texas Government Code, I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster," he said.

The proclamation also highlights that any state statutes or administrative rules regarding contracting or procurement that impede emergency response efforts will be suspended for the duration of the disaster.

In accordance with statutory requirements, the proclamation will be filed with the applicable authorities to ensure proper documentation and coordination.

Governor Abbott's proactive approach in renewing the wildfire disaster declaration demonstrates his commitment to protecting the residents of Texas and mitigating the impact of natural disasters. By mobilizing resources and suspending certain regulations, the state can respond swiftly and effectively to protect life and property.

The wildfire disaster declaration serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats posed by wildfires and the importance of preparedness and response efforts. As Texas continues to face these challenges, it is crucial for residents and authorities to remain vigilant and work together to minimize the impact of these disasters.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-renews-wildfire-disaster-declaration-in-november-2023