AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 100 firefighters are heading to California along with emergency management personnel, over 25 fire engines, command vehicles, and equipment to help battle ongoing wildfires in the northern part of the state.
Gov. Greg Abbott’s office said in a release Sunday that the governor directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and Texas A&M Forest Service to deploy resources to assist with wildfire response efforts in California following a request from CAL Fire through the California Office of Emergency Services.
According to the Associated Press, thousands of personnel have been responding to wildfires in California, and the largest in the state — called Park Fire — had scorched an area greater than the city of Los Angeles as of Monday. The blaze spanned more than 562 square miles (1,455 square kilometers) of inland Northern California.
“Texans understand the urgency of responding to wildfires, and our country is stronger when we come together in times of crisis,” said Abbott. “I am grateful for all the firefighters and emergency management personnel as they answer the call to protect their fellow Americans. Cecilia and I pray for the brave first responders who are battling these destructive wildfires in California.”
TDEM, the Texas A&M Forest Service, and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System started preparing more than 100 firefighters, emergency management personnel, and more than 25 fire engines, command vehicles, and equipment over the weekend.
The deployment is coordinated under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, or EMAC, which is a state-to-state mutual aid system that enables states to provide assistance and share resources with another state in response to a disaster or emergency.