Austin's Mayor issues a disaster declaration in anticipation of potential wildfires, citing a prolonged dry spell and high-risk conditions.

The disaster declarations that Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown are issuing will make it easier to access resources in case they are needed due to a wildfire, the two local leaders said at a news conference Thursday. It will also allow the city to use its resources to make preparations to fight wildfires.

City of Austin and Travis County leaders plan to talk Thursday about signing disaster declarations over the risk of wildfires in Central Texas.

Signing the declarations is preemptive and allows the city and county to put resources into place to respond quickly should a fire start.