Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott has announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Fire Management Assistance Grants for the Rest Area Fire in Gray County and the Crabapple Fire in Gillespie County. These grants will enable Texas to receive 75 percent reimbursement from the federal government for costs related to combating these wildfires.

"Texas is working around the clock to provide all necessary resources to local officials fighting wildfires in Gray and Gillespie counties," stated Governor Abbott. "With the approval of these Fire Management Assistance grants, we will continue to support our brave firefighters as they battle these dangerous blazes. The safety and well-being of Texans is our No. 1 priority, and we will work tirelessly to ensure impacted communities get the assistance they need. I thank our first responders and brave firefighters for their work to protect their fellow Texans."

The grants are designed for states and local jurisdictions to mitigate, manage, and control fires on both public and private lands that could lead to significant destruction.

Under Governor Abbott's direction, various state emergency response resources have been mobilized. These include personnel from the Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas National Guard, and other agencies providing firefighting capabilities, medical support, law enforcement assistance, wildlife management, agricultural support, transportation monitoring, utility coordination, environmental quality checks, health services information dissemination, and technology infrastructure monitoring.

Residents can access wildfire resources through the Texas Disaster Portal at disaster.texas.gov. Those with damaged properties are encouraged to report via TDEM’s online damage survey using the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT). This tool aids emergency management teams in assessing damage but does not replace insurance reporting or guarantee relief assistance.

Governor Abbott continues efforts to equip local communities with necessary resources against wildfire threats by activating additional state emergency response resources and obtaining further grant approvals.