Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller declared an Agricultural Emergency on July 10 in response to the Getaway Pens Fire in Dickens County, activating Texas Department of Agriculture disaster relief resources as firefighters continue battling the wildfire east of Lubbock, according to an agency news release.
The declaration authorizes TDA to mobilize disaster recovery resources, coordinate assistance for affected agricultural producers, and expedite outreach efforts to impacted rural communities as recovery begins, the agency said. Commissioner Miller also called on Texans to support the State of Texas Agricultural Relief (STAR) Fund and encouraged producers and agribusinesses affected by the fire to apply for available financial assistance.
“Our prayers are with the firefighters, emergency personnel, volunteers, and families affected by the Getaway Pens Fire,” Commissioner Miller said in the release. “I want to thank every first responder working around the clock to protect lives, homes, livestock, and property. They represent the very best of Texas.”
Firefighters have brought the wildfire to partial containment and continue strengthening containment lines to prevent further spread, though the agency warned that dry conditions and shifting winds still pose a threat. “Our first responders have made tremendous progress, but we’re not out of danger yet,” Commissioner Miller said. “With drought conditions across much of Texas, it only takes a single spark to ignite another wildfire. I encourage everyone in the area to remain vigilant, follow the guidance of local officials, and do everything possible to prevent additional fires.”
The department pointed Texans affected by the fire to several recovery resources. The STAR Fund, administered by TDA, awards grants funded by tax-deductible private donations to help eligible farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses repair or replace damaged agricultural infrastructure after natural disasters. Producers seeking assistance may apply through the STAR Fund or call 833-380-8282, and Texans wishing to support recovery efforts may make secure, tax-deductible donations to the fund, the agency said.
The agency also highlighted its Hay and Feed Hotline, a free service that connects hay donors with agricultural producers in need during emergencies, reachable at 877-429-1998, and the AgriStress Helpline, which provides free, confidential mental health support 24 hours a day, seven days a week from professionals who understand the challenges facing farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. That helpline can be reached by call or text at 833-897-2474.
Additional information about the STAR Fund, the Hay and Feed Hotline, and the AgriStress Helpline is available on the Texas Department of Agriculture website, and the release noted that Texans can monitor active wildfires and find wildfire safety information through the Texas A&M Forest Service’s wildfire status webpage. As recovery begins in Dickens County, the declaration positions state agricultural relief programs to help producers rebuild.