Texas A&M Forest Service

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Texas rural volunteer fire departments receive $1.3 million in grants

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas – On Tuesday, April 2, Texas A&M Forest Service held the second of three funding meetings of fiscal year 2024 for the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, awarding 74 grants totaling approximately $1.3 million.

Grant funding from the program will help Texas rural volunteer fire department recipients from this allocation purchase equipment such as dry hydrants, fire and rescue equipment, personal protective equipment and training aids.

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STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

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Texans asked to conserve energy in heat wave
The agency that operates the power grid for much of the state asked Texans to conserve energy use several times last week as the grid was beset with high demand and low wind-power generation, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has asked electric users to reduce energy use as the state continues to face a tenacious heat wave. 

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Drone and firefighting aircraft have near miss on recent wildfire

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COLLEGE STATION — On Friday, a helicopter delivering water to the 150-acre Barth Fire in Caldwell County almost collided with a drone that came within feet of the aircraft.

Drones are a serious safety hazard for both the aviation resources as well as the firefighters on the ground and can cause a serious or fatal accident if they collide with firefighting aircraft.

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Texas A&M Forest Service prepares for extreme fire conditions in Panhandle

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas — A combination of above-normal temperatures, low humidity, dry fuel and strong winds will create the potential for extreme fire conditions across large portions of the state early this week.

Today, conditions capable of producing large fires are expected across the Western Plains, including Canadian, Childress, Amarillo and Lubbock.