DECLARATION OF DISASTER
THREAT OF WILDFIRES
DATE: June 23, 2009
WHEREAS, Somervell County has not had any appreciable rainfall for an extended period, and
WHEREAS, weather forecasters offer little promise of a change in the hot, dry conditions in the near future; and
WHEREAS, these hot, dry conditions pose a threat of large, dangerous, and fast-moving wildfires; and
WHEREAS, such fires have the potential of endangering lives and damaging property on a large scale; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Disaster Act of 1975 authorizes declaration of a state of disaster “if the threat of disaster is imminent”, and
WHEREAS, the magnitude of the potential damage and the rapidity at which such a fire could escalate to major proportions constitute an imminent threat of disaster; and
WHEREAS, declaration of such disaster authorizes the imposition of controls on activities which tend to increase the likelihood of fires; and
WHEREAS, such controls, once implemented, have the potential of protecting lives and property by mitigating the threat of dangerous fires;
BE IT THEREFORE PROCLAIMED that I, Walter Maynard, Judge of Somervell County, do hereby declare a state of disaster based on the threat of large wildfires in Somervell County Texas; and
BE IT ALSO PROCLAIMED that this state of disaster will continue until rescinded in accordance with the above statute and order, but in no instance will this declaration continue for more than seven days without authorization by the Somervell County Commissioners Court;
BE IT ALSO PROCLAIMED that this state of disaster is being declared solely for the purpose of implementing controls aimed at mitigating the hazard posed by wildfires during the current hot, dry weather.
BE IT ALSO ORDERED THAT the purpose of this order is the mitigation of the hazard posed by wildfires by curtailing the practice of outdoor burning, which purpose is to be taken into account in any enforcement action based upon this order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I affix my signature the 23rd day of June 2009.
__________________________
Walter Maynard
County Judge
