San Antonio Corridor News

With the Texas A&M Wildland Fire Preparedness Level remaining at Level 4, Gov. Greg Abbott has declared a disaster for 191 Texas counties due to extensive wildfire outbreaks, with the possibility of more counties being included, his office said in a news release.

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

"As we continue to respond to wildfire conditions across the state, Texas is ready to provide any additional resources and aid to impacted communities. I commend the bravery and service of the hundreds of emergency personnel and firefighters who have swiftly responded to the wildfires to protect their fellow Texans and communities," he said.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is coordinating the deployment of firefighting resources in cooperation with firefighting agencies. "This unified effort encompasses fire suppression, medical support, emergency response, fuel and water tenders, and fire-suppression Blackhawks from the Texas National Guard. More than 95 fire departments across 75 Texas cities have also joined the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) to collectively address wildfire incidents."

Comal County Judge Sherman Krause has issued a seven-day declaration due to the heightened risk of "large, dangerous and fast-moving wildfires," a San Antonio News-Express story said. The declaration can be extended by 60 days if necessary. A persistent heat wave and worsening drought conditions raise the risk, and a burn ban remains in effect, the story said.

The causes for more than half of the state's fires fall under two categories: debris burning that gets out of control and “equipment use,” which includes vehicles, machinery, welding and ranching equipment, among others, a High Plains Public Radio (HPPR) news report said.

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), which gauges fire risk based on the precipitation needed to restore soil moisture, indicates that New Braunfels has severe drought conditions with a KBDI measurement of 726, nearing the maximum possible level of 800. Most regions of Texas are registering KBDI readings above 600, the Express-News story said.

“Our fires in Texas generally move extremely quickly,” Kari Hines, a program coordinator at the Texas A&M Forest Service, told HPPR. Fire activity so far this year has been above average, after 2022 was one of the most active fire years since 2011, she said, urging the public to recognize that swift action is necessary to ensure both resident and firefighter safety.