Texas Gov. Greg Abbott last week declared a disaster in at least 60 counties in West Texas as the state continues to battle the largest wildfires in the state's history.
The deadly wildfire killed two people, including a woman who was trying to escape the blaze in her truck, and destroyed homes and acres of ranches. As of last week, the fire had burned more than 1.1 million acres (1,700 square miles) in west Texas and spread to western Oklahoma.
All wildfire-affected counties have set up emergency response centers at the direction of the county judge, the emergency manager. Susan M. Ledford, executive director of the Texas Association of Counties and a former Ector County judge, pointed out that a disaster declaration gives counties permission to use county equipment on private property.
“I called one of the county judges and asked if we could use county equipment to clean up private property, and we absolutely can,” Ledford said, adding that the region has received help from across the state.
The county is “overwhelmed,” Redford said. “These are all small, very rural, mostly ranching communities. It's a really devastating situation for them right now.”
The county also has the responsibility of assisting with the evacuation of some areas. Several county judges in the area ordered evacuations for communities.
Do more
For more information on how you can help wildfire-stricken counties in West Texas, contact Stephanie Moreno, Justice Program Manager at the Texas Association of Counties.
“We suspect the damage may be in the school district's barn, which stores road and bridge equipment, which is often located in remote areas and outside of town,” Ledford said.
She said the governor's disaster declaration means the Texas Emergency Management Agency is pouring resources into the region from across the state.
Other fire departments can also receive reimbursement for helping fight the fire. “We have fire departments down south in San Antonio and Austin that are helping,” Redford said.
President Biden said at a news conference that the federal government has sent 500 personnel to the area, including 100 federal firefighters and dozens of additional fire trucks, air tankers, small planes and helicopters. “FEMA has already guaranteed that Texas and Oklahoma will cover the costs of keeping people safe,” he said.
Most fire departments in rural Texas counties are volunteer-based. Like many rural counties across the country, “counties in that area don't have a professional fire department,” Ledford said. “Some towns do that. But the first responders on the scene in this case were all volunteers. It's cruel to see.”
As of last week, wildfires continued to burn in hard-hit Gray, Hutchinson, Moore and Oldham counties.
“Farmers and ranchers from as far away as South Texas are bringing hay to West Texas for their livestock.” Thousands of livestock were also killed in the fires.
Redford shared tips for other counties and associations facing such disasters. “From the lessons we've learned, it's good to stay in touch with community leaders affected by disasters and make sure we're there to help them in any way possible. We wrote a press release. We have provided water and snacks to first responders, and coordinated resources to help.”
