Governor Greg Abbott has amended and renewed a wildfire disaster proclamation initially issued on February 27, 2024. The original 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 the same wildfire conditions persist in these and other counties across Texas, excluding Fannin, Gregg, Harrison, Nacogdoches, Newton, and Upshur Counties.
In accordance with Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, Governor Abbott has declared a disaster in 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 Young Counties.
Pursuant to Section 418.017 of the Texas Government Code: "I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster."
Additionally: "Pursuant to Section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code," any regulatory statute prescribing procedures for conducting state business or any order or rule of a state agency that would prevent or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster shall be suspended upon written approval from the Office of the Governor. This includes suspending statutes and rules regarding contracting or procurement if they impede emergency response efforts needed to protect life or property during this declared disaster.
Copies of this proclamation will be filed with the applicable authorities as required by statutory requirements.
"In testimony whereof," Governor Abbott signed his name and officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at his office in Austin on May 27th.
Greg Abbott
Governor
Attested by:
Jane Nelson
Secretary of State