NEWS
State prepares additional resources for extreme wildfire danger, severe storm threats
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott Tuesday directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to prepare additional state resources for mobilization as Texans face critical-to-extreme wildfire weather conditions in the Western half of the state and severe storm threats in the Eastern half of the state. The Texas State Emergency Operations Center (SOC) is operating at Level II: Escalated Response in support of severe weather and wildfire response.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, a Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak is possible today, April 12, in the Texas Panhandle. This event may impact communities near Canadian, Amarillo, Childress, Lubbock, and Midland where extremely dry vegetation will be subjected to above normal temperatures, low humidity, and high wind speeds. A heightened threat of fire danger through Wednesday includes the Panhandle, South Plains, Permian Basin, West Texas, Big Country, Concho Valley, Texoma, and the Border Region.
The increased risk of severe storms brings the potential for large hail, damaging winds, tornados, and flash flooding in North, Central, and East Texas through Wednesday.
“The State of Texas has mobilized resources for West and East Texas ahead of critical fire weather and severe storm threats in those regions, respectively,” said Governor Abbott. “Texans are encouraged to remain resilient and heed the guidance of local officials to protect their loved ones, and we thank our emergency responders who are working to protect our communities this Holy Week.”
The following state agencies sent representatives to the SOC starting at 10 a.m. (Tuesday, April 12) alongside TDEM:
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)
Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS)
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC)
Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC)
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Military Department (TMD)
TAMFS has activated more than 325 state firefighters, 175 local firefighters from 56 different departments through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) including 45 engines, and has called in more than 100 firefighters from 12 states. TAMFS is utilizing more than 35 aviation resources including 3 large airtankers, 15 single engine air tankers, six air attack platforms, and five type 1 helicopters.
TPWD Game Wardens have assisted and will continue to aid in evacuations and traffic control, and TPWD’s State Parks Division has firefighters supporting active fires in the Central Texas area.
DPS continues to support the state’s response to wildfires and severe weather by assisting with evacuations, security, roving patrols, neighborhood reentry, damage assessments, and aerial surveys of fire and tornado damage.
TxDOT is using Electronic Messaging Signs on highways to alert the public of the high fire danger, and TxDOT personnel are on standby to respond with crews to clear roads impacted by severe weather.
RRC is communicating with gas utilities and pipeline companies to respond to wildfire issues if fires threaten supply to customers and will work with community assets to establish timelines for recovery if needed.
PUCT reminds citizens to never approach or touch downed power lines, as the lines could still be live. Also, report downed lines or outages to local authorities and local utility officials. Texans can find contact information to report down lines and monitor power outage maps on the PUCT Storm Resources page, puc.texas.gov/storm/contact.html.
The Texas Emergency Management Task Force (TX EMTF) has three severe weather support packages and three wildland fire support packages on standby should they need to be activated.
Texans can visit tdem.texas.gov/ and click on the Spring Wildfires button for wildfire resource information, and ready.gov/severe-weather for severe storm safety tips.
Members of the Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Aug. 25 to finalize the budget and conduct a public hearing on a proposed tax rate.
The ordinances adopting both the 2026-27 budget and the 2026 tax rate are on the agenda for action. The public hearing on the tax rate presents a rate of .5750 cents per $100 in property value, which is slightly higher than the 2025 rate that is .5430.
The new rate is projected to generate $2,990,998, compared to $2,703,176 from last year’s rate. This is the first significant change in the rate since 2019, when it was .5445 cents. The next year it went to .5447 cents, where it stayed until 2023, when it went to .5430 cents, through 2025.
A bid will be awarded for the Rock and Pillar Street drainage project. Wall Contractors will be recommended by the city engineer and staff review. The bid came in about $1.3 million, which was lower than the estimated $2 million. It is expected to straighten the channel and get this intersection reopened for traffic after more than a year of closure to collapse of a portion of the pavement on the street.
The council will consider stop signs regulating traffic flow around the Kingdom Ridge Subdivision next to the elementary school.
In the city manager’s report Bert Cunningham will provide information on the hazard mitigation plan, the 2025-26 audit preparation and the bid for the Rock and Pillar project.
Montague County Commissioners will adopt a budget and tax rate when they meet at on Aug. 24 in the courthouse annex.
The budget hearing will be at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 24, followed by a public hearing for the proposed tax rate at 8:45 a.m.
During the regular meeting at 9 a.m., there will be one final budget workshop for any last minute tweaks or changes, followed by adoption of the 2026-27 budget and 2026 tax rate.
The proposed tax rate is .4961 cents per $100 in property value, which is the same rate as 2025. Due to the increase in property values despite the same rate, the total tax levy on all properties will see a 3.64% increase.
A copy of the proposed budget is available on the county website at https://www.co.montague.tx.us/.
Several other financial related items are on the agenda. Accumulated comp time in the sheriff office and jail will be discussed. The commissioners also will consider any year-end expenditures utilizing any or the budget year contingency funds.
Other items on the agenda will include: Acceptance of the District Attorney’s 2023- 2024 and 2025 Chapter 59 asset forfeiture reports and authorize DA Katie Boggeman to sign them; imposition of optional fees from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for 2027; House Bill 3834 cybersecurity and AI training certification for state and local governments compliance reports; interlocal cooperation agreement between the Department of Public Safety and the county court and district court; review the sherif office application for sheriff immigration law enforcement grant program Senate Bill 8; consider distribution of state grant HB 3000; and consider using Real Estate Station LLC Agent Denise Thurman to sell 5.9 acres on the corner of U.S. 81 and State Highway 59.
It should be no surprise, the month of July is recorded as the hottest month on record for the country.
July wrapped up with seven straight days of 100 degrees or higher July 25-31. August also opened hot with the first 100-plus degree day on Aug. 3 and it has topped that marked through Aug. 19. On Tuesday the high was 107 degrees at the water plant, but in town thermometers recorded 108 and 109 degrees.It was expected to top that mark on Wednesday.
There was no rainfall recorded in July or in August. Bowie has only 21.71 inches for the year so far and Nocona has 22.35 inches.
Lake Amon Carter
Aug. 19 –
917.22 msl, 80.2% full
July 19 – 918.10 msl, 86.1%
Aug. 19, 2025 – 919.84 msl, 98.8% full
Lake is full at 920msl
Lake Nocona
Aug. 19 – 823.48 msl, 76.3% full
July 19 – 824.41 msl, 81.05%
Aug. 19, 2025 – 826.878 msl, 95.85%
Lake full at 827.5msl
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