Texas Panhandle Wildfires Prompt Disaster Declarations and Evacuations

Devastating wildfires in the Texas Panhandle have led to a disaster declaration by Gov. Greg Abbott for 60 counties in the state. The fires have particularly impacted areas in Hutchinson County, Amarillo, and Moore County, with the Smokehouse Creek Fire and Windy Deuce Fire being major concerns.

The Pantex Nuclear Weapons Plant in Amarillo evacuated nonessential personnel due to the wildfires, ensuring safety for all special materials. Additionally, parts of Shattuck, OK, were evacuated as the Smokehouse Creek fire crossed into northwestern Oklahoma, affecting local highways and necessitating hospital and nursing home evacuations.

Texas A&M Forest Service reported extreme fire behavior with wind gusts up to 60 mph in the Texas Panhandle, where fires have damaged over 40 houses in Fritch, leading to mandatory evacuations in various towns like Skellytown, Wheeler, and Allison.

The National Weather Service highlighted the ongoing challenges in containing the blazes, with the Smokehouse Creek Fire burning 500,000 acres and the Windy Deuce Fire scorching 38,000 acres in Moore County, posing risks to surrounding areas like Briscoe and Pampa, where evacuations are either mandatory or voluntary.

Amidst these devastating wildfires, the Texas agriculture industry is also facing significant losses, with farmers and ranchers in the region grappling with destruction of their livelihoods. The state’s Agriculture Commissioner, Sid Miller, expressed solidarity with those impacted, promising support for their recovery efforts during this challenging time.