Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Recent wildfires which have burned parts of Coryell County and the continued threat of fires due to extreme drought conditions prompted the Coryell County Commissioners Court to declare the county a disaster area.
The declaration was made during the commissioners court meeting on April 12 in response to the fires and the prospect that the county will likely face elevated fire dangers for several months, said Coryell County Judge Roger Miller.
"Every firefighting agency in the county was involved in responding to the Crittenberg Complex fire (which burned thousands of acres on Fort Hood in late March and prompted the evacuation of the Flat community)," Miller said. "It has put a strain on our firefighters and our local fire departments and has resulted in much greater expenditures (than normal)."
Miller noted that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared several other Texas counties disaster areas in March, and that Bell County leaders declared that area a disaster area in early April.
He said county fire departments incurred more than $70,000 in expenses from helping Fort Hood, state and area firefighters battle the Crittenberg Complex fire.
"In an effort to get reimbursement either through TDEM (the Texas Department of Emergency Management) or the federal government and also highlight the critical fire danger that is expected to continue for several months, it is important (to issue the disaster declaration) and be aware that other disasters are possible," Miller said.
Ryan Basham said he has been contacted by families that were impacted by the fires and asked if any funds were available to help them.
County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Harrell said there are some resources available to help those affected by the fires.
Also in response to fire concerns, the commissioners court extended the burn ban for another 90 days and voted to award all nine fire departments in Coryell County $500 to help them offset costs from recent emergency responses.
"I believe this small amount will help while we seek reimbursement from the state," Miller said.
