AUSTIN, Texas, May 5 (UPI) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency declined this week to grant Texas a major disaster declaration following hundreds of wildfires.
A FEMA spokeswoman, Rachel Racusen, said the fires were not beyond the state's capacity to deal with, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. She said Texas did receive 22 fire management grants.
Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, announced the agency's action Tuesday with an angry statement.
"I am dismayed that this administration has denied Texans the much needed assistance they deserve," Perry said. "It is not only the obligation of the federal government, but its responsibility under law to help its citizens in times of emergency."
Texas is having one of the worst wildfire seasons in its history after a long drought and hot dry weather. More than 2 million acres have burned since November.
