Weather Triggers Texas Wildfires Spread
Widespread Wildfires Force Evacuations in High Plains as Hundreds of Thousands of Acres Affected
Editor's Note: This story was updated 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, including the size of the Smokehouse Creek fire increased and added comments.
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OMAHA (DTN) -- Massive wildfires continue to spread in the High Plains and one is already the second largest in Texas history.
"As Texas Agriculture Commissioner, I am deeply concerned about the devastating wildfires raging through the Texas Panhandle. These fires not only threaten lives and property but also have a significant impact on our agriculture industry. We stand in solidarity with our farmers and ranchers facing loss and destruction. Our thoughts are with them during this challenging time, and we're committed to supporting their recovery efforts every step of the way," said a statement released by Commissioner Sid Miller on Wednesday.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties in his state as widespread wildfires destroyed homes and structures and led to a mix of mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders for several towns on Tuesday. The wildfires also have spread into Oklahoma. Various highways have been closed in areas affected by fires, and county emergency officials worked into the night to advise of evacuation routes, emergency shelters or even telling people to shelter in place. In some communities, such as in Canadian, Texas, hospital patients as well as people from residential care facilities had to be evacuated.
The largest of the active fires in the High Plains, the Smokehouse Creek fire in Hutchinson County in the Texas Panhandle, started on Monday and had consumed an estimated 250,000 acres by Tuesday evening. By Wednesday morning it had spread to 500,000 acres, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service with zero contained. This made it the second largest fire in Texas history. On Tuesday the one fire alone was described by some media as spreading the equivalent of 150 football fields per minute, and already burned more than all of fires combined in Texas in 2023. The fire had started in tall grass with high winds fanning the flames.
The situation was expected to grow worse, with the size of fires rapidly increasing in areas that were at times have been under a red flag warning with high winds, dryness and dewpoints in the teens or single digits already in place or expected overnight in parts of the High Plains.
Other large fires in the Panhandle Tuesday night included the Grape Vine Creek fire, near Pampa in Gray County at 30,000 acres, about 20% contained; and the Windy Deuce fire in Moore County at 38,000 acres and also about 20% contained.
As the fire spread in Texas, several towns received mandatory or voluntary evacuation notices or people were told to shelter in place in some situations.
CONDITIONS REMAIN DANGEROUS
Abbott's posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that, "According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, dry conditions and above-normal temperatures resulting in areas of the state facing an increased risk of wildfire. Paired with increased wind speeds, these areas are supportive of wildfire activity. The Texas A&M Forest Service reports that several large wildfires ignited yesterday (Monday) under warm, dry, and windy conditions across the Texas Panhandle.
"Strong forecasted winds will likely impact these wildfires, causing them to grow larger. There is a possibility for wildfire activity to occur where an abundant of dormant grasses are present on the landscape in areas near or around them, including the Panhandle, South Plains, Texoma, and Permian Basin regions. Portions of East Texas also face increased wildfire risk amid active burns."
TRAGEDY AND MIRACLES
In Texas, the Moore County Sheriff's Office late Tuesday evening posted on Facebook that "Firefighters throughout the areas are still working active uncontrolled fires. Moore County Deputies are assisting Hutchinson County with evacuation. We have seen tragedy today and we have seen miracles. Today was a historic event we hope never happens again. The panhandle needs prayers."
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Oklahoma also battled the fast-spreading fires. According to Roger Mills County Emergency Management in Oklahoma, the Smokehouse Creek fire had crossed the state line and moved into the county, leading to evacuations of Durham and Crawford. With dozens of wildfires in the state by even Monday night, Oklahoma already has had evacuations in several counties, temporary shelters set up, and emergency declarations.
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry Secretary Blayne Arthur told DTN Tuesday night, "We have had fires across the state ... buildings and cattle lost. Won't have totals on losses until fires are more contained."
On social media Tuesday there were reports of ranches affected by the fires and videos of the desperate attempts to move livestock to safety.
The Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is urging people to donate money to help aid victims on ranchers who are being affected by the wildfires.
NEBRASKA FIRE SPREADS QUICKLY
Nebraska also saw how quickly a wildfire could spread. According to state officials, on Monday morning near North Platte a mower sparked a fire less than 10 miles from the city, damaging homes and other buildings.
Within 24 hours, the Betty's Way fire raced through 71,000 acres of land in Lincoln and Custer counties, with 15 volunteer fire departments in the area trying to keep the fire from spreading. By late Tuesday, it was about 70% contained.
According to Associated Press, "by late Monday, Gov. Jim Pillen declared a state disaster, which provided additional help from the state Forest Service, Fire Marshal, emergency management agency and other cooperating agencies."
WILD WEATHER SWINGS
DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick on Monday had written in his blog about the wild swings in temperatures and conditions in the High Plains this week that would increase the potential for wildfires. "While not extreme like in some spring storms, wind gusts over 35 mph will be common in a lot of areas and over 55 mph in the High Plains, down-sloping off the Rocky Mountains. With some drier conditions out there, the winds could elevate the risk of wildfires," he said.
Baranick warned of another system later in the week. "However, yet again, another system is forecast to move through the West this weekend and roll out into the Plains on Sunday and then press eastward March 4-5. The system is likely to produce similar impacts with strong winds, potential for snow, strong-to-severe thunderstorms and temperature fluctuations."(https://www.dtnpf.com/…)
DISASTER DECLARATION IN TEXAS
On X, Gov. Abbott noted more counties could be added to the 60 he listed. He wrote he had "directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate additional state emergency response resources to support local firefighters responding to multiple wildfires burning Texas."
"I issued a disaster declaration today to ensure critical fire response resources are swiftly deployed to areas in the Texas Panhandle being impacted by devastating wildfires," Abbott said. "Hot and dry conditions caused by high temperatures and windy conditions are expected to continue in the region in the coming days. These conditions could increase the potential for these wildfires to grow larger and more dangerous.
"Texans are urged to limit activities that could create sparks and take precautions to keep their loved ones safe," he said, adding his thanks to the firefighters and first responders who are helping out.
Near 8:30 p.m., the National Weather Service in Amarillo, Texas said satellite imagery showed the fire across northern Carson County and northern Potter County were continuing to spread southward with north-northeast winds of 20-30 mph. Earlier in the evening, the NWS office showed video of how smoky it was in Amarillo when the fires were still 20-25 miles north of the city, adding that the air quality could cause respiratory issues for people.
EVACUATIONS TAKING PLACE
According to the Texas Tribune, evacuations were taking place in several towns, while in some areas people were told to shelter in place. "Officials have ordered nearly 5,000 residents in the Panhandle cities of Canadian, Fritch and Glazier to shelter in place Tuesday as four separate wildfires engulfed the region, burning more than 230,000 acres," the Tribune reported. "Residents in Hemphill County, where Canadian is, were initially told to evacuate as the Smokehouse Creek fire -- the largest of the four -- spread and burned more than 200,000 acres within a day. As firefighters worked to contain the fire in Canadian, about 100 miles northeast of Amarillo, evacuation efforts hit a snag as the main roadway was blocked by the fire.
"Shortly after the mandatory order was announced, the Hemphill County Sheriff's Office shared on social media that Highway 60/83 was shut down. The sheriff's office instructed residents to go to the gym at Canadian High School to shelter in place," stated the Tribune. (https://www.texastribune.org/…)
As for how the fire started, the Tribune noted, "According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Smokehouse Creek fire started in tall grasses, and wind gusts that ranged from 40-50 miles per hour pushed the fire towards Pampa, about 40 miles southeast. The Grape Vine Creek fire near Pampa in Gray County is the second biggest active fire threatening the region. It also has not been contained by firefighters yet, and has burned 30,000 acres. Pampa city officials were suggesting voluntary evacuations as of Tuesday afternoon. The City of Fritch in nearby Hutchinson County has been evacuated."
IMPACT OF FIRES
According to myhighplains.com, the Frank Phillips College Rodeo Arena was open for evacuated livestock. In Lipscomb County, near Glazier, a feedyard was "advised to evacuate," said the site.
The Mashburn Event Center and Arena in Childress, Texas posted on its Facebook page it was open for people anyone needing a place for their horses and pets to evacuate from fires.
Meanwhile, the Pantex nuclear weapons plant in Carson County was evacuated for nonessential personnel because of a fire near the plant that wasn't contained.
"We have evacuated our nonessential personnel from the site, just in abundance of caution, but we do have a well-equipped fire department that has trained for these scenarios and is on-site watching and ready should any kind of real emergency arise on the plant site," Laef Pendergraft, a nuclear safety engineer with the National Nuclear Security Administration production office at Pantex, said in a news conference Tuesday night according to the Amarillo Globe-News. "We also have a fully staffed emergency response organization who has activated. We are monitoring the scene and we will continue on through the night to ensure that the Pantex plant is protected and safe," Pendergraft said.
DONATIONS URGED TO HELP RANCHERS
In a press release, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association urged donors to give to the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund amid widespread wildfires affecting the Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma. Donations will go on to aid victims of the ongoing natural disasters, the organization said.
"A fire is one of the most tragic events that can impact ranches, and a natural disaster such as the widespread wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma can result in financial hardships and deep impacts to our ranching communities," said TSCRA President Arthur Uhl. "Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is here to help through means of financial assistance and we're encouraging those who can to donate to the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund." The TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides support for cattle raisers in Texas and Oklahoma who are victims of a natural disaster. All contributions to the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund are tax deductible. See https://tscra.org/…
Elaine Shein can be reached at elaine.shein@dtn.com
Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @elaineshein
Mary Kennedy can be reached at mary.kennedy@dtn.com
Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @MaryCKenn
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