Wildfires trigger Agricultural Emergency as Texas activates expanded state response ahead of critical fire danger

Wildfires burning across the Texas Panhandle and West Texas prompted Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller to declare an Agricultural Emergency on February 18, 2026, while Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate additional state wildfire response resources ahead of elevated-to-critical fire weather conditions across South, West, and Northwest Texas. Extremely critical fire danger continues across portions of the state as dry fuels and periodic wind gusts persist. Source