By Megan Wehring
DRIPPING SPRINGS – Despite the recent wildfires and the county being under a burn ban, the city of Dripping Springs is not executing a disaster declaration at this time.
On Aug. 9, the Dripping Springs City Council discussed the possibility of declaring a disaster for the city due to a public emergency, following the emergency management report regarding animal shelter operations at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. However, the council did not take any action.
The purpose of declaring a local state of disaster is to activate emergency management plans and to authorize the use and request of aid/assistance.
“It basically states that a local jurisdiction has maxed out its resources and needs aid either from the county or the state,” said Roman Baligad, emergency management coordinator. “That did not occur in this situation. We were still able to maintain the animal shelter with the staff that we had. That’s why the decision was made not to issue a disaster declaration.”
While the recent fires have not been within the city limits, the fires have already impacted the city as it has been used as an animal shelter, according to backup agenda documents. Animals came in from Blanco County due to the Smoke Rider Fire and Wimberley due to the Hermosa Fire.
Though the city council decided to not issue a declaration at this time, Mayor Bill Foulds has the authority to do so at a future date if he deems it necessary.
