In this image taken from webcam footage provided by the Village of Ruidoso, smoke rises behind Ruidoso, N.M., on Monday, June 17, 2024. Thousands of southern New Mexico residents fled the mountainous village as a wind-whipped wildfire tore through homes and other buildings. (Village of Ruidoso Tourism Department via AP) (Village of Ruidoso Tourism Department via AP)
Governor Abbott announced the move Tuesday. He has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to deploy Texas A&M Task Force 1 personnel to Ruidoso, New Mexico. The task force has deployed an Incident Support Team Cache made up of personnel, semi-trucks and other equipment vehicles.
“Texas is proud to lend our neighbors a helping hand,” Governor Abbott said in a press release announcing the move.
“As we continue to support New Mexico’s response, I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to deploy Texas A&M Task Force 1 personnel to New Mexico to assist in wildfire search and rescue efforts,” Abbott continued. “Texas stands ready to answer the call for help when disaster strikes — whether it’s here in the Lone Star State or for our neighbors across the country.”
Texas A&M Task Force 1 is one of the 28 federal teams under FEMA’s National Urban Search and Rescue System. It is headquartered in College Station, Texas.
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Michael is a Kingwood native who loves visiting local restaurants and overreacting to Houston sports. He joined the KPRC 2 family in 2024. He earned his BA from Texas A&M University in 2022 and his MA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2023.