Texas emergency management chief believes the state needs its own firefighting aircraft

During a meeting in Pampa attended by over 100 people at the MK Brown Heritage Room, Nim Kidd, the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, advocated for the establishment of a firefighting aircraft division in the state following a series of devastating wildfires in the Panhandle region. These fires, including the largest in state history, resulted in at least two deaths and burned over 1 million acres.

Republican Rep. Ken King, chair of the committee holding the hearings, emphasized the importance of preventing such disasters in the future and ensuring effective response efforts. The panel aims to investigate the causes of the wildfires, assess the allocation of response resources, and evaluate wildfire disaster preparedness.

Ranchers and residents affected by the wildfires expressed frustration over the lack of firefighting aircraft available during the emergency.