April 7, 2022 10:50 a.m.

The Douglas Forest Protective Association is sending five firefighters to help Texas officials respond to a rash of wildfires.

Public Information Officer Rachael Pope said four left Thursday morning, taking two DFPA engines with them. A fifth staff member will fly out on Saturday. Pope said the crew can serve for up to three weeks with the possibility of extending their time further, if needed.

This year the Texas A&M Forest Service has responded to over 3,000 fires which have burned more than 400,000 acres. That includes almost 980 wildfires in March that burned just over 348,000 acres. Wildfire activity is expected to increase this week as periodic critical fire weather occurs where very dry vegetation is present in west and southern portions of the state.

DFPA’s staff is joining over 170 mutual aid firefighters from twenty-eight states that have been mobilized to help Texas crews.