AUSTIN (KXAN) — City of Austin and Travis County leaders spoke Thursday about signing disaster declarations over the risk of wildfires in Central Texas.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown announced the signing of disaster declarations relating to wildfire preparedness and resources in Austin and Travis County.
Leaders also provided updates on how the county, city, emergency services districts and other first responder agencies coordinate their planning and response efforts.
Leaders who were at the press conference included the following: Mayor Kirk Watson, Judge Andy Brown, Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion, Austin Fire Department Chief Baker, Travis County Emergency Services Districts Fire Chiefs Bailey (ESD 11), Wilson (ESD 9), Abbott (ESD 6), and Perkins (ESD 2), Austin Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management Interim Director Bill Wilson and Travis County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Carter.
While wildfires can occur any time of year, the current ongoing drought and dry air (low humidity) conditions result in high to very high fire danger across Central Texas, per the First Warning Weather team.
