DEVELOPING STORY: Evacuations are underway across a large swatch of the Texas panhandle as massive wildfires spread into small towns and communities. Videos show an apocalyptic scene as the sky turned orange and emergency sirens wailed in the distance.
“The Texas A&M Forest Service reports that several large wildfires ignited yesterday under warm, dry, and windy conditions across the Texas Panhandle,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “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 amount of dormant grasses are present on the landscape in areas near and around them, including the Panhandle, South Plains, Texoma, and Permian Basin regions.”
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The city of Pampa said Tuesday evening it was “suggesting” a voluntary evacuation due to the threat of the raging wildfires spreading rapidly.
Pampa is roughly 50 miles northeast of Amarillo and 40 miles southwest of Canadian, where residents have been urged to shelter in place, CNN reported.
“We are now suggesting a voluntary evacuation for the City of Pampa. Go south 70 to i40 and go to Amarillo area or Clarendon,” the city said in a post on Facebook.
“At this time sheriffs will be going door to door to SUGGEST evacuation North of County Line Road on Highway 70,” city officials said in a Facebook post Tuesday evening.
“IF there comes a time for the City to evacuate, a mass text will be sent (everyone will receive the text even if haven’t signed up to receive the text, per Gray County Emergency Management Office), sirens will sound and notifications on our social media as well as local media will be notified immediately,” the post said.
BREAKING: A brush fire has broken out in the Texas Panhandle near Hemphill County. pic.twitter.com/g61pgyg6wF
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) February 27, 2024
Glazier, Texas, is under evacuation as a significant fire moves directly eastward toward the town. Multiple severe wildfires are currently raging across the Plains States, with one in the Texas Panhandle expanding to over 70,000 acres. pic.twitter.com/U3cgBbADDv
— Insider Corner (@insiderscorner) February 27, 2024
Fire had made its way into Fritch, TX. It’s moved into neighborhoods and structures are on fire. We have assisted with evacuation because the fire was already on people who had no idea it was in there backyard. Bad situation ongoing! #txwx #firewarning #texas pic.twitter.com/A5tv2FEjtV
— Blake Brown (@BlakeBrownWx) February 27, 2024
Last night, 3 members of our Wildland Team and our State brush truck, departed for the Texas Panhandle. Several large fires started yesterday and continue to rapidly spread today. Our crew and their Strike Team are assigned to the 100,000 acre, 0% contained #SmokehouseCreekFire. pic.twitter.com/6PeD7d80Eq
— FlowerMoundFD (@FlowerMoundFD) February 27, 2024
