More than a dozen wildfires are burning around the state. Texas Governor Greg Abbott is urging people who have suffered damage from those fires, including the Chalk Mountain Fire in Somervell County, to file a report with the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
"Once it's safe to return, if you have insurance, you need to make a claim as quickly as you can," Governor Abbott said during a visit to Glen Rose to meet with local officials about the firefighting efforts there. "Then, use the Texas Division of Emergency Management self-reporting damage assessment tool called iSTAT."
The Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool allows people to submit damage reports about their residence or business. State officials can use that information to get a better idea of the damage associated with a wildfire, which can affect how they allocate resources. The information can also be used to help determine if the state or specific regions are eligible for federal disaster aid.
He also used the visit to offer his thanks to the firefighters and other first responders who have been battling the flames.
"There have been people who have been working around the clock ever since the fire began...to extinguish it, to save property, to save lives, to save power lines - and they've been remarkably effective," the Governor said.
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