I actually got to ask this question on Talk of the Nation this afternoon, but the rambling answer I got didn’t’ really address the question. Just platitudes about “Highly trained firefighters needed.”
It got me to thinking, though. there are several military bases in the area, the aerial support alone should help tremendously.
Not to mention the fact that the military’s Firefighting School is at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, about five hours away.
Why would these resources not be utilized by state government?
According to this some resources are involved.
Two Chinooks and two Blackhawks in Austin area, 2 more Blackhawks in Colorado County, and 3 groundfire support packages (4 bulldozers and 16 personnel).
No idea on the specifics of when or how other units get involved.
Did hear your question and I think they took it to mean ‘why are they putting thousands of guardsmen on the fire lines.’
Also, whoever that was from Austin they had on as a guest has a fantastic voice for radio.
The federal government has been involved with the Texas wild fires for some time. You will be hard-pressed to find such information because of the state/federal politics, especially the public animosity between the current Texas governor and the White House. All major fires in Texas are under the “public” command of the Texas Forest Service. Privately, they are overwhelmed, they know it, and the feds are “assisting” them.