Texas Governor Declares State of Disaster as Wildfires Force Evacuations, Kill Sheriff’s Deputy

Texas Governor Declares State of Disaster as Wildfires Force Evacuations, Kill Sheriff’s Deputy
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference at the Capitol in Austin, Texas, on June 8, 2021. Montinique Monroe/Getty Images
Updated:

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in 11 counties late Friday amid wildfires in the state that have burned through at least 50,000 acres and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate.

The disaster declaration (pdf) means the countries affected can use all state government resources to respond to the wildfires and suspend any rules or statutes that would impede the state’s emergency response.