Original: Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley signed an emergency disaster declaration July 29 due to the threat of wildfires in connection with severe drought conditions.
The extreme heat and dry conditions this summer have created the possibility of “large and fast-moving wildfires, which have the potential of endangering lives and damaging property on a large scale,” according to a news release from the county.
On June 28, the county issued a 90-day ban on outdoor burning in unincorporated areas due to severe drought conditions.
According to the July 29 release, a county judge may issue a declaration “if the threat of disaster is imminent.” The declaration gives the county options to pursue funding options and other assistance as needed, the release stated.
The emergency declaration is valid for seven days.
Tarrant County commissioners are scheduled to consider extending the declaration, according to the agenda for their Aug. 2 meeting.
The Tarrant County Office of Emergency Management is recommending that the declaration be extended for 90 days, according to a staff memo as part of the Aug. 2 agenda.
The proposed resolution to be considered states that the county “remains under an imminent threat of severe damage, injury or loss of life or property resulting from the threat of wildfires due to drought, extreme temperatures and high winds.”
