Governor Greg Abbott has amended and renewed the wildfire disaster proclamation originally issued on February 27, 2024. The initial proclamation certified that wildfires beginning on February 23, 2024, posed an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property in several counties.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management has confirmed that these wildfire conditions persist in many counties across Texas. However, Fannin, Gregg, Harrison, Nacogdoches, Newton, and Upshur Counties are no longer affected.
Governor Abbott's renewed proclamation now includes Andrews, Archer, Armstrong, Bailey, Baylor, Borden, Brewster, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Collingsworth, Cottle, Crane, Crosby, Culberson, Dallam, Dawson; Deaf Smith; Dickens; Donley; Ector; El Paso; Floyd; Foard; Gaines; Garza; Glasscock; Gray; Hale; Hall; Hansford; Hardeman; Hartley; Haskell; Hemphill; Hockley; Howard; Hudspeth: Hutchinson: Jeff Davis: Kent: King: Knox: Lamb: Lipscomb: Loving: Lubbock: Lynn: Martin: Midland: Moore: Motley: Ochiltree: Oldham: Parmer Pecos Potter Presidio Randall Reeves Roberts Sherman Stonewall Swisher Terry Throckmorton Upton Ward Wheeler Wichita Wilbarger Winkler Yoakum and Young Counties.
Under Section 418.017 of the Texas Government Code Governor Abbott authorized the use of all available state government resources and political subdivisions necessary to address this disaster. Additionally any regulatory statutes that would hinder necessary actions in coping with the disaster are suspended upon written approval from the Office of the Governor as per Section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code.
This includes suspension of state statutes or administrative rules related to contracting or procurement if they impede any state agency’s emergency response efforts necessary to protect life or property threatened by this declared disaster.
In compliance with statutory requirements copies of this proclamation will be filed with applicable authorities.
"In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin Texas this the 27th day of May 2024," stated Governor Greg Abbott.
The proclamation was attested by Secretary of State Jane Nelson.
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