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.

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

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

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