Texas firefighting teams, equipment sent to New Mexico as wildfires continue

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has called for Wildfire Search and Rescue Support units to go to New Mexico as the area deals with wildfires that have claimed two lives.

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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.”

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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.