Massive wildfires swept through parts of Texas on Tuesday amid gusty winds and unseasonably warm weather.
60 counties are under a fire emergency declaration. Some residents are currently being evacuated.
He watches:
Additional wildfire footage:
The fire crosses Highway 83 again 7 miles south of Canada. #txwx pic.twitter.com/4bvzaXe4Fd
– Chad Casey (@WxFanaticCC) February 27, 2024
According to Texas Storm Chasers, the winds moved up at 5 p.m. local time. A cold front is expected to move into the region on Tuesday evening.
356 p.m.: Historic wildfires break out in parts of the Texas Panhandle. North winds shift by 5pm! Multiple cities are under immediate threat. Evacuate if you are told to do so, but shelter in place if it is too late to leave. This is a life-threatening condition. #PHwx #txfire #WindyDeuceFire… pic.twitter.com/QfnGWsYHn2
– Texas Storm Chasers ⚡ (@TxStormChasers) February 27, 2024
CNN reported:
An out-of-control wildfire threatens Texas Panhandle towns and forces residents to evacuate.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest wildfire burning in the region, has exploded to 200,000 acres since erupting Monday afternoon, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The fire, caused by gusty winds and fueled by unusually dry and warm conditions, is moving incredibly quickly and remains 0% contained.
Evacuation orders were issued early Tuesday afternoon for parts of Hemphill and Roberts counties as the fire approached populated areas. This includes Canadian City, Texas, about an hour and a half northeast of Amarillo, Texas.
Parts of Fritch, Texas, which stretches between Moore and Hutchinson counties north of Amarillo, are also under an evacuation order due to a separate fire, city officials and the Texas A&M Forest Service said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement regarding the wildfires.
“I issued a disaster declaration today to deploy resources to 60 counties impacted by these devastating wildfires,” Abbott said. “Please take all necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.”
“Thank you to the brave firefighters who are working 24/7 to protect their fellow Texans,” Abbott said of the wildfires.
Today I issued a disaster declaration to deploy resources to 60 counties affected by these devastating wildfires.
Please take all necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Thank you to our brave firefighters who are working 24/7 to protect their fellow Texans.
Stay safe, Texas. pic.twitter.com/m25hpFiAx1
– Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) February 27, 2024
