Extreme Wildfire Threat

AUSTIN, February 1, 2008 - The following message is from the Governor's Office of Emergency Management concerning the current extreme wildfire threat.

1. Texas has and continues to experience a protracted period of intense and violent wildfires. Multiple and continuous cold fronts across a wide area of the state characterized by extremely high winds and record low humidity have created optimum conditions for numerous spontaneous and violent wildfires. In the last 24-36 hour period over 70,000 acres have been burned destroying in excess of 60 structures. Over 75 fires remain active at this time. Extreme wildfire conditions are expected to remain through the end of next week with brief relief in some areas of the state.

2. We are requesting the following:

A. That local leaders make every effort to inform the public of the conditions in your respective areas and solicit their assistance in observing burn bans and other measures you deem appropriate to mitigate the start of these fires. Given these extreme conditions the most insignificant act can result in catastrophic consequences.

B. That local leaders encourage employers who have employees who are members of local Volunteer Fire Departments (VFDs) to support the deployment of VFDs to local fires by allowing their employees to respond with their respective VFD. Local VFDs are our first line of defense and are essential to the protection of life and property.

C. That local leaders and responders identify fire fighting equipment and crews that they could if requested provide for statewide mutual aid deployment. Given the magnitude of the scope of the wildfires virtually every geographic area of Texas is impacted. However, if your area is currently not threatened, we solicit your support by identifying available deployable resources to the State of Texas Operations Center at 512-424-2208 or by contacting your local Regional Liaison Officer.

D. That local leaders provide maximum and continuous support to our outstanding volunteer agencies and organizations who have as they always have provided and continue to provide immediate assistance to victims of these intense fires.

E. That local leaders encourage all fire departments, both VFD and FD to participate in the TFS web based reporting system so that the state can capture costs needed to attain FEMA financial support for wildfire operations. This is extremely critical to seek financial assistance. The website is : tfsfrp.tamu.edu/firereporting

3. State of Texas has deployed eight Texas Military Forces (TMF) helicopters to support fire suppression operations. We have requested five additional aircraft from the State of Louisiana. Texas Forest Service is establishing an Area Command Center at Granbury today. Texas Department of Transportation supports VFDs with fuel and assistance. The State of Texas Operations Center is at Level I Readiness and will remain so until this current threat no longer exists.