By Julie Tomascik
Editor

A temporary waiver was granted last Friday to allow dyed diesel fuel in vehicles on Texas roadways to help support the communities impacted by the wildfires.

The waiver also suspends requirements to pay the state motor fuels tax on the dyed diesel.

“Texas continues to deploy all available resources to ensure emergency response personnel have what they need to respond to these devastating wildfires and help Texans begin to recover,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. “By suspending these rules, first responders and local officials will have access to readily available fuel so emergency vehicles can more efficiently deliver critical supplies to Texans in need and contain these wildfires. I thank all the first responders, state officials and local personnel for working tirelessly to keep their fellow Texans safe.”

In addition to the state waivers, the Texas Comptroller secured a federal waiver to help with diesel fuel supply.

The waiver will not impose a penalty when dyed diesel fuel with a sulfur content that does not exceed 15 parts-per-million is sold for use or used by diesel-powered vehicles on the highway in certain counties in Texas.

The penalty relief began Feb. 23 and will remain in effect through March 22, 2024. It applies to the following counties in Texas: Archer, Armstrong, Bailey, Baylor, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Collingsworth, Cottle, Crosby, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Donley, Fannin, Floyd, Foard, Garza, Gray, Gregg, Hale, Hall, Hansford, Hardeman, Harrison, Hartley, Haskell, Hemphill, Hockley, Hutchinson, Kent, King, Knox, Lamb, Lipscomb, Lubbock, Lynn, Moore, Motley, Nacogdoches, Newton, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Stonewall, Swisher, Terry, Throckmorton, Upshur, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger, Yoakum and Young.

“The situation in the communities impacted by this disaster is heartbreaking, and we still have a long way to go before we understand the scope of the devastation wrought by this fire,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. “These waivers will help ensure fuel supplies remain readily available for vehicles used by emergency responders and others to transport supplies and respond to the needs of Texans affected by this unprecedented disaster.

Click here for more details on the waiver.

Wildfires
Catastrophic wildfires have scorched over 1 million acres in the Texas Panhandle. Homes, barns, fences and livestock have been lost.

For updates on wildfire conditions and containment statuses, follow Texas A&M Forest Service on Twitter/X.

Additional information
For more information on resources and relief efforts, visit Texas Farm Bureau’s Wildfire Relief and Recovery Resources webpage.

TFB also established a wildfire relief fund to help farmers and ranchers impacted by the wildfires. Tax-deductible donations may be made online at txfb.us/wildfire.