AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Sunday that he plans to send manpower and resources to help fight the wildfire raging in Northern California. 

What You Need To Know

  • Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency, Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System to deploy over a 100 firefighters and emergency personnel as well as more than 25 fire engines, command vehicles and other equipment

  • The California Office of Emergency Services requested the assistance from Abbott, and the deployment is coordinated through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact–a mutual aid system that allows states to provide assistance to another state during a disaster

  • The Park Fire, which authorities say was started by a man pushing a burning car into a gully in Chico on Wednesday, has razed 547 square miles as of Saturday and has become one of the largest in state history

Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency, Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System to deploy over a 100 firefighters and emergency personnel as well as more than 25 fire engines, command vehicles and other equipment. 

The California Office of Emergency Services requested the assistance from Abbott, and the deployment is coordinated through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact–a mutual aid system that allows states to provide assistance to another state during a disaster. 

“Texans understand the urgency of responding to wildfires, and our country is stronger when we come together in times of crisis,” said Abbott in a news release. “I am grateful for all the firefighters and emergency management personnel as they answer the call to protect their fellow Americans. Cecilia and I pray for the brave first responders who are battling these destructive wildfires in California.”

The Park Fire, which authorities say was started by a man pushing a burning car into a gully in Chico on Wednesday, has razed 547 square miles as of Saturday and has become one of the largest in state history. About 2,500 firefighters were battling the blaze, with the help of helicopters and air tankers. 

It's one of numerous wildfires ravaging North America, which includes another complex of fires in the Plumas National Forest near the California-Nevada line.