CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Officials in Aransas County have enacted a local disaster declaration, which is related to the threat of wildfires due to drought conditions.
In the declaration, it states that the county has not received adequate rainfall, which has created dry conditions leading to an increased threat of wildfires.
Aransas County Judge Ray Garza said that a recent grassfire that broke out along Bypass 35 last week was the deciding factor in enacting the declaration.
"The firefighters on this one incident, the 20 acres they had a lot of damage to the vehicles, to their equipment so this declaration helps recoup that money in the form of grants and give them a uniform allowance I believe and some machinery too," he said.
Emily Guerrero with the Rockport Volunteer Fire Department said she and her team are urging everyone in the area to be very careful when dealing with anything that could start a fire.
"What people don't realize is that again going back to you see greenery, we see dead vegetation. All it takes is one spark from a cigarette or a chain, dragging on the ground because somebody didn't put it properly back on their trailer that's all it takes right now to light it up and start it off," he said.
There's also a burn ban in place until at least Sept. 24 in Aransas County. Violating the order could land residents in jail for up to 180 days and a $500 fine.
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