Following severe wildfires that swept across Texas last week, Gov. Rick Perry reiterated his request to FEMA to issue an emergency declaration for 199 Texas counties based on the threat of wildfires. Perry also authorized additional state resources today to combat the ongoing wildfires across the state.

“The rapidly spreading wildfire threat across North Texas demonstrates how quickly conditions can change and the importance of heeding warnings from local officials,” Gov. Perry said. “I urge Texans, particularly in the northern part of our state, to exercise extreme caution and monitor the situation closely.”

The pending FEMA declaration would provide federal assets and firefighting resources to assist the state in battling ongoing wildfires. Perry originally requested this declaration in February. His request was denied in March and appealed three days later.

Today firefighters are battling more than 20 major fires burning across 60,000 acres. Resources responding in support of fire operations across the state include 67 fire engines from various fire departments across Texas, 37 bulldozers to cut fire lines, and 21 aircraft, including two Texas Military Forces Blackhawk helicopters and contract aircraft.