FEMA Approves Emergency Grants For Texas Panhandle Wildfires

According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the panhandle is currently at a level 3 fire preparedness level. On a scale of 1 to 5, that's definitely something that needs to be addressed. Luckily, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has agreed to provide funding while Texas works on controlling these wildfires plaguing our state. 

An Update On the Panhandle Fires

On March 18, Governor Abbott informed the state that FEMA has approved the request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant. This federal grant will go towards improving firefighting and recovery operations. 

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As of the morning of March 18, the largest threat in the panhandle, the Corner Pocket Fire in Donley County, destroyed over 234 acres, prompted the evacuation of about 340 homes and threatened over 2,160 others in the surrounding area. 

The Corner Pocket Fire is finally 100% contained; however, resources and manpower are still being used in public safety and recovery operations. 

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You can view the interactive map of active and inactive wildfires across the state with the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer. 

How Much Money Does Texas Receive?

The Fire Management Assistance Grant does not award a set amount of money. Instead, it will reimburse the state up to 75% of eligible costs associated with suppressing wildfires. 

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These grants were created by the federal government to support wildfire management and mitigation and protect the surrounding public who are threatened with major disasters. 

Texas is currently at wildfire preparedness level 3 which, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service, means that wildfires are "impacting several regions of the state as a result of drought, dry vegetation or frequent fire weather events."