WASHINGTON, D.C. (Associated Press) – Texas is getting $31 million in federal funding to help with wildfire recovery. At least 80 percent of it will go to Bastrop County, which was devasted by fires that began late last summer.
Community development block grants will help pay for housing, business and infrastructure needs beyond other public and private help.
The money is part of $400 million in nationwide natural disaster assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
According to the Texas Forest Service, last year’s wildfire season was the worst in the state’s history, covering nearly four million acres and destroying 4,000 structures, and resulting in ten deaths.