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The Fayette County Record
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Published 2 years ago
Last updated 2 years ago
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Governor Includes Fayette Co. in Disaster Declaration as Severe Drought Intensifies

By Andy Behlen
  • How dry is it in Holman? Cracks in the ground have gotten so deep it takes a yard stick to get to the bottom. Photo courtesy of Elaine Thomas
    How dry is it in Holman? Cracks in the ground have gotten so deep it takes a yard stick to get to the bottom. Photo courtesy of Elaine Thomas
  • Fayette County ranks among the driest counties in the state according to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KDBI).
    Fayette County ranks among the driest counties in the state according to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KDBI).

Governor Greg Abbott signed a wildfire disaster proclamation that covers about three-quarters of the state, including Fayette County. The proclamation allows counties to access state resources to combat the wildfire danger as 100-degree temperatures blanket Texas.

“The State of Texas continues working with local officials to respond to critical wildfire activity across the entire state,” Abbott said in a press release issued Monday.. “I issued a disaster declaration to surge the deployment of additional resources and assistance to 191 counties currently experiencing dangerous wildfire conditions.”

East Texas remains the driest part of the state, according to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KDBI), with counties in Central Texas following close behind. The KDBI ranked Fayette County the 38th driest county in the state as of Aug. 15. The Upper Panhandle region is the only part of Texas that has remained out of drought conditions this summer. “As we continue to respond to wildfire conditions across the state, Texas is ready to provide any additional resources and aid to impacted communities,” the governor added.

The Governor directed the following state firefighting resources to remain deployed by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) across the state in support of wildfire response operations:

• Texas A&M Forest Service: Firefighting personnel and heavy equipment such as bulldozers; 30 All Hazard Incident Management Team personnel; 31 aircraft; 13 Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike teams comprised of over 230 personnel and over 70 fire engines; • Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Wildland Fire Support Packages including paramedics and ambulances;

• Texas Division of Emergency Management: Emergency response personnel to support local requests for assistance; • Texas Department of Transportation: Fuel and water tenders for firefighting support; and

• Texas National Guard: Blackhawk helicopters with fire-suppression capability.

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