Federal Money to Texas to Pay for Fighting Wildfires

Money to help fight disastrous fires in Texas will be coming from the federal government, Governor Greg Abbott said Sunday afternoon.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state's request for grant money labeled "Fire Emergency Management Assistance Grants" that are intended to help pay for the services of agencies such as the Texas A&M Forest Service, and the Texas National Guard, which is flying Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters providing water-drop services at fires, and others.

Three wildfires continue to burn in the state Sunday night:

The Windmill Fire in Roberts County, east of Amarillo in the state Panhandle, is burning about 18,000 acres and is 50% contained after two days of firefighting efforts-- and it contributed to the closing of Interstate 40 in the area for a while as smoke overwhelmed vehicles trying to pass through.

The Rest Area Fire in Grey County, also east of Amarillo, is burning 4,500 acres and is 30% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service, which is operating the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System.

And the Gillespie County Crabtree Fire is burning nearly 10,000 acres with 40% containment. It's not far from the City of Fredericksburg, but authorities emphasize that there is no expectation that the blaze will harm the city itself.

Each of the fires originated on Saturday when strong winds and low humidity combined with dry conditions created what the National Weather Service called optimal conditions for wildfires.