September 9th, 2011
12:19 PM ET

Lt. governor: Texas needs disaster declaration from Obama

Texas needs an immediate disaster declaration from President Barack Obama allowing access to heavy equipment and other assistance to help battle wildfires burning across the state, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said.

The White House has not responded to the state's previous request, Dewhurst contends, and "we need help yesterday."

There was no immediate response from the White House.

A disaster declaration would give the state access to heavy equipment, personnel, supplies and other support that would help it respond after nearly 300 consecutive days of wildfires, Dewhurst said.

Obama has approved a limited disaster declaration for fires in April and May.

"But this problem has been ongoing since January," Dewhurst said. "And if anything it's gotten worse."

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Filed under: Fire • Texas
soundoff (133 Responses)
  1. Norton

    Ralph

    September 11, 2011 at 2:28 pm | Report abuse |
  2. james

    Gov Perry right wing extremist asked for less goverment Obama is giving him his wishes. Perry suggested that Texas leave the union ( which is treason ) needs to reley on his faith in jesus christ to bring the evil state that kill people in the name of law jesus will solve all off Texas issues Ya right

    September 11, 2011 at 3:51 pm | Report abuse |
    • Mike

      Amen, brother!

      September 11, 2011 at 9:53 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Mike Houston

    To all you Texas-bashers: knock it off! Probably the majority of Texans are well aware that
    the true "disaster area" in Texas is located in Austin-in the Governors office! And its been
    a disaster ever since pretty-boy-Perry stepped into it!

    September 11, 2011 at 4:52 pm | Report abuse |
    • Stan Willmann

      Maybe Perry should hire the 49,000 school teachers he fired as fire fighters! Oh no! That would cost money! Better to knock on Washington's door and get "free" help with his mess! Oh no, can't do that and keep his TP "pledge"! His best option now is to invite Sarah Palin to come to Texas and help him get this under control, she has answers for everything! Just no answers for reporters' questions!
      Our "politicians" get more ridiculous month by month these days!

      September 12, 2011 at 8:13 am | Report abuse |
  4. hippediva

    I thought Perry said FEMA was useless and that the feds shouldn't be involved. Okay, then. Go without.

    September 12, 2011 at 12:33 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Tracy Cowan

    You guys are disgusting. 1,500 homes have been burned, not flooded, but burned to ashes- every thing gone. The fire is now encroaching on the city limits of the 4th largest city in the US- Houston TX. The number of people that could loose their homes is stagering. Where is your HUMANITY?

    September 13, 2011 at 9:11 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Megan

    Bash all you like. If you believe that some Texans wanting to leave the Union is any more treasonous than what "our" federal government is doing to it's people, you're just as delusional as the people who believe a word out of any politician's mouth. Texans help Texans. FEMA is actively helping Texans stricken by wildfire loss. Perry doesn't care about Texas anymore than Obama cares about the US.

    September 29, 2011 at 11:05 pm | Report abuse |
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