The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday denied the state’s April 16 request for a federal Major Disaster Declaration to assist with the ongoing wildfire season, which has burned more than 2.2 million acres.

Since the wildfire season began in November, Texas has responded to more than 9,000 fires across the state that have destroyed or damaged more than 400 homes, according to the Texas Forest Service.

“I am dismayed that this administration has denied Texans the much needed assistance they deserve. It is not only the obligation of the federal government, but its responsibility under law to help its citizens in times of emergency,” Gov. Rick Perry said in a statement. “Our state has become a model for the nation in disaster preparedness and response, but Texas is reaching its capacity to respond to these emergencies. We will immediately look at all of our options, including appealing the denial, so Texans can receive the resources and support they need as wildfires continue to threaten life and property across our state.”

Officials said that the state has continued to provide assistance to communities threatened by the raging fires this season, including deploying hundreds of Texas Forest Service personnel and air assets to assist with multiple fires; Texas Military Forces personnel and Blackhawk helicopters to assist fire suppression efforts; Texas Department of Transportation bulldozers and other resources as needed in the affected areas; and deploying Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol and multiple communications trailers to the Texas Forest Service Incident Command Post in Merkel and other areas across the state.

The federal government has already provided Texas with grants for response activities, FEMA spokeswoman Rachel Racusen told the Associated Press in a statement.

“FEMA has been in close contact with the state since the fires occurred, and based on the information they provided, it was determined that there was not a need for additional support at this time,” Racusen said. “Over the past few months, FEMA has awarded over 20 fire management grants to the state, which provide targeted funding to help with firefighting efforts, including 16 in April alone.”

FEMA will continue to work closely with the state and local emergency management officials, Racusen said.

FEMA said Texas has 30 days to appeal.

The Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, a network of Texas fire departments willing to provide emergency resources to neighboring communities during the threat of disasters, is currently activated, state officials said.

Several Johnson County fire departments, including Cleburne, Burleson, Blum, Bono, Briaroaks, Godley, Joshua, Rendon and Rio Vista assisted with recent firefighting efforts at Possum Kingdom Lake and the Cooper Mountain Fire in West Texas.

The state will reimburse expenses those departments incurred while responding to those fires.

“When nearly 7,000 individual wildfires burn through more than 2.2 million acres, result in loss of life, and destroy homes, businesses, farms and ranches across the state,  it’s hard to understand how these conditions don’t spell ‘disaster’ for this administration,” said U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in a statement. “We’ve yet to enter the hottest months of the year and already wildfires have wreaked havoc in Texas — yet our state has not received sufficient federal disaster aid. I will not stop fighting until Texas receives its due attention from President Obama and his administration.”

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, also released a statement on Tuesday expressing her disappointment on the administration’s decision.

“These wildfires have ravaged 2.2 million acres of Texas land, and it is extremely disappointing the administration has denied critical assistance to our state. We’ve suffered major agriculture and livestock losses and many Texans have lost their homes,” she said. “We need to equip communities with all of the tools and resources possible to effectively battle and recover from these fires. I am sure the governor will work with the administration to ensure all the requirements are met for timely delivery of this disaster aid.”

A Major Disaster Declaration would make the state eligible for response and recovery assistance from the federal government.

According to a statement, the governor asked for direct federal assistance including aviation assets and wildland, structural and wildland/urban interface firefighting resources to state and local agencies in support of firefighting operations and emergency protective measures taken before, during and after a disaster to save lives, protect public health and safety, and protect improved public and private property.

The governor issued an Emergency Disaster Proclamation on Dec. 21 which was renewed on Jan. 19, Feb. 17, March 18 and April 15.

This proclamation, which includes Johnson County, remains in effect as extreme wildfire conditions persist.

The State Operations Center has been partially activated and continues to work closely with the Texas Forest Service, National Weather Service and other state and local entities to monitor this severe wildfire threat, officials said.

Texas Forest Service has responded to no new large fires in recent days but are currently working on three major fires that span 498,494 acres in Presidio, Jeff Davis, Val Verde and Kimble counties.

Burn bans are currently active in 210 counties, according to the Texas Forest Service. Commissioners lifted the ban in Johnson County on April 25.