Texas Raises Emergency Operations Level as Wildfire Risk Grows

AUSTIN, TX — Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday ordered the Texas Division of Emergency Management to raise the readiness level of the State Operations Center to Level II, an escalated response posture, as critical wildfire conditions develop across parts of West Texas and the High Plains.

State officials said strong winds, dry vegetation and above-normal temperatures are expected to create dangerous fire weather through Thursday, with the highest risk occurring in the first half of the week. Blowing dust and hazardous travel conditions are also possible, and fire danger could expand eastward before improving after a late-week cold front.

Abbott said the state is strategically positioning personnel and equipment to support local responders and protect lives and infrastructure.

At the governor’s direction, multiple state agencies were activated to coordinate response operations, including transportation, public safety, health, environmental and utility agencies, along with the Texas National Guard, American Red Cross and Salvation Army.

State resources deployed

Authorities said the following resources are available to assist local jurisdictions:

• Firefighting personnel: More than 500 firefighters and support staff through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System

• Heavy equipment: Over 150 bulldozers, motor graders and other machinery

• Aircraft: More than 25 firefighting aircraft, including large air tankers, single-engine air tankers, water-scooping planes and helicopters

• Texas National Guard: Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters equipped for firefighting

• Medical support: Emergency medical task force teams with ambulances and all-terrain vehicles

• Public safety: Highway patrol troopers to monitor roads and assist stranded motorists

• Utilities and infrastructure: Monitoring of power grid, communications systems and natural gas supply

• Environmental monitoring: Air, water and wastewater quality oversight

• Agriculture support: Agents to assist ranchers and livestock producers

Officials urged residents to avoid activities that create sparks, prepare emergency kits and follow local guidance. Wildfire safety information is available at TexasReady.gov and tdem.texas.gov/prepare.