Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. In a letter sent to the White House today U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and John Cornyn (R-TX) urged Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator W. Craig Fugate to expedite Governor Rick Perrys (R-TX) request for a federal disaster declaration for Texas counties that have recently suffered damage from wildfires.
The text of the letter is included below:
The Honorable W. Craig Fugate
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street S.W.
Washington D.C. 20472
Dear Administrator Fugate:
We are writing to express our strong support for the State of Texas April 16 2011 request that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issue an emergency declaration as a result of the wildfires that continue to plague the state. We urge prompt issuance of a disaster declaration and the provision of available assistance and resources through Category B (emergency protective services) of FEMAs Public Assistance program for the 252 affected Texas counties.
Wildfires have inflicted tremendous damage to Texas this year. The combination of drought and strong winds has proven catastrophic for hundreds of homeowners and businesses. State officials have indicated that since the wildfire season began wildfires have burned approximately 1528714 acres destroying 244 homes. An additional 8514 homes have been saved as a result of the heroic and proactive efforts of firefighters on the ground.
As you know FEMA has granted the state and localities assistance and resources through the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program. While these actions have provided needed financial relief to the state and localities as they combat and recover from these devastating blazes the scope of assistance needs to be expanded to more areas of the state.
Making available Category B under the Public Assistance program to the 252 counties will provide state and local first responders and officials with the resources required to combat
and respond to fire and related hazards more effectively. As a result lives will be saved property protected and the publics health and safety ensured.
We appreciate your expedited review and consideration of this request and we look forward to working with both you and the administration on this paramount issue facing Texas.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can provide additional assistance in expediting this request.
Sincerely
Kay Bailey Hutchison
United States Senator
John Cornyn
United States Senator
