The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given Texas $31.2 million to help cover the costs of the devastating wildfires that spread across the state in 2011. The money will go to help the recovery in Bastrop and at least nine other wildfires during that year.
FEMA says the funding covers about 75 percent of the overall costs including materials, equipment, meals, air support and logging.
“Texas experienced a record number of wildfires in 2011, which devastated communities across the state,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We are committed to providing the necessary support to partners as the recovery process moves forward.”
In September 2011, the largest wildfire in Central Texas history killed two people, charred more than 1,700 houses and left miles of blackened chunks across Bastrop County.
The Bastrop wildfire was fueled by the worst one-year drought in Texas history.
Other counties receiving reimbursement: Cass, Coke, Grimes, Jeff Davis, Kimble, King Knox, Marion, Montgomery, Palo Pinto, Presidio, Stephens, Stonewall, Tom Green, Waller and Young.
