AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Wednesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the state’s request for fire management assistance grants for the Welder Fire in San Patricio County and the Duke Fire in Bexar County, according to a press release.
“The State of Texas and emergency responders continue to work around the clock to fight the wildfires in Texas and keep our communities safe,” Abbott said. “FEMA’s approval of Texas’ grant assistance request for San Patricio and Bexar counties will provide crucial financial assistance to help ease the cost of fighting the Welder and Duke fires.”
The approval of the grants allows the state to become eligible for 75% reimbursement from the federal government for costs related to the two wildfires, according to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).
TDEM said on Tuesday, that state emergency responders supported 41 new wildfires that started and burned more than 4,400 acres.
In Central Texas, a total of 10 fires burned 486.5 acres in the KXAN viewing area.
The Onion Creek Fire and the Klett Fire were still active fires as of Wednesday evening, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
