Area Wildfires
UPDATE AS OF 10:15 p.m.:
A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for the Mesilla Park subdivision of Potter County. This area is located just north of Amarillo near Willow Creek Drive and Eastern Street.
An evacuation shelter has been set up at the River Road ISD, along with a second shelter at the Warford Activity Center, 1330 NW 18th Avenue n Amarillo.
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UPDATE AS OF 7:00 p.m.:
Governor Greg Abbott issued a Disaster Declaration earlier Tuesday for the widespread wildfires burning throughout the state, including here in the panhandle. This frees-ip resources and support to help with the fires. Read the declaration here.
The City of Pampa was given evacuation orders late Tuesday afternoon due to the advancement of the Smokehouse River fire.
Skellytown was evacuated as well. Residents there were instructed to evacuate to the town of White Deer.
All residents of Armstrong County have been instructed to shelter in place due to the dense and unhealthy smoke caused by fires.
Officials in Amarillo want residents to know, despite the heavy smoke now engulfing the city, there are no active fires in our immediate area at this time.
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UPDATE AS OF 4:00 p.m.:
After an exhausting day of fighting numerous fires around the Texas Panhandle, crews appear to be making headway.
Of those that created evacuations and were presenting containment issues, only a few remain at this time.
Grape Vine Creek in Gray County has consumed 30,000 acres and is still only 20% contained.
Nearly 3,000 acres have been consumed in the Armstrong County fire, which is now reported to be 90% contained.
The Smokehouse Creek fire has, to this point, claimed more than 200,000 acres with 0% containment. This is the fire in Roberts County where evacuation orders are still in effect.
Residents there are being asked to take shelter at First Baptist Church in Pampa.
We will provide updates as information becomes available and conditions warrant.
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UPDATE AS OF 2:45 p.m.
Evacuations underway in Miami, Canadian, Glazier and Fritch due to wildfires
Fire crews across the Panhandle are responding to multiple wildfires driven by strong winds.
Known Evacuations at this time:
Roberts County
The Roberts County Sheriff’s Office says residents on North River Road should evacuate.
The Sheriff’s Office also issued a mandatory evacuation order for Southeast Roberts County, including the town of Miami.
Evacuees can go to the First Baptist Church of Pampa.
Hemphill County
Hemphill County Emergency Management has declared a mandatory evacuation. Officials are advising people to use US 83 heading south to evacuate. A shelter is set up at the Wheeler AgriLife Building located at 7939 US 83 in Wheeler.
The Texas A&M Forest Service says Glazier residents should also evacuate.
Hutchinson County
The City of Fritch also says some residents in the Double Diamond, Arrowhead and Maverick Village additions should evacuate at this time.
Evacuees should go to Celebration Family Church, 811 E. Broadway.
Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson, Roberts and Hemphill counties:
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service incident map, the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson, Roberts and Hemphill counties is estimated at 100,000 acres burned and is 0% contained. The Texas A&M Forest Service is responding to assist the crews fighting this fire.
The fire started north of Stinnett and has moved east along the Canadian River into Roberts County and then into Hemphill County.
In Hemphill County, Highway 83 is closed in both direction at Oasis. There is no northbound traffic.
83 and 23 in Lipscomb County are also shutdown.
Also in Hemphill County, FM 2266 (Lake Marvin Road) is closed.
Payne Ranch Road in Roberts County is closed at this time:
Highway 70 from the Ochiltree County Line to FM 282/Red School House is now closed. Drivers are also asked to avoid FM 283 due to fire, smoke and blowing dust.
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UPDATE AS OF 1:40 p.m.:
AN IMMEDIATE EVACUATION ORDER HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE DOUBLE DIAMOND AREA OF FRITCH. THOSE RESIDENTS ARE BEING TOLD TO TAKE SHELTER AT CELEBRATION CHURCH IN FRITCH ON MAIN STREET.
UPDATE AS OF 12:25 P.M.:
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, this is the latest on the wildfires burning in the Texas Panhandle as of 12:20 p.m. Tuesday.
The Juliet Pass Fire in Armstrong County is 90 percent contained and has burned nearly 3000 acres.
The Grape Vine Creek Fire in Gray County has consumed an estimated 30 thousand acres and is only 15 percent contained at this time.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County has burned an estimated 40 thousand acres and is 0 percent contained.
What is being called the Windy Deuce Fire in Moore County has claimed roughly 4,000 acres and is 5 percent contained.
Remember, smoke and fire will present a threat to life and property, and while most fires are moving east, a shift in wind direction is expected with the cooler weather later this afternoon and this evening.
Be prepared to evacuate if requested and follow all safety instructions from local emergency management officials.
We will keep you informed as conditions warrant and information becomes available.
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The Texas A&M Forest Service says the Hutchinson/Roberts County fire is estimated to have burned 40 thousand acres and was is 0 percent contained as of early Tuesday.
The blaze started north of Stinnett and moved east along the Canadian River into Roberts County.
As of Monday evening, the American Red Cross provided services to 125 firefighters and emergency personnel who were trying to extinguish the fire.
Some Roberts County roads had to be closed but have since been reopened.
In Gray County, the fire there was last reported to have consumed about 30,000 acres, and was only 15% contained.
In Potter/Moore County, The Texas Forest Service says 4 thousand acres have been burned, with evacuations along Plum Creek and the Blue West areas of the Canadian River
Potter County Fire and Rescue state crews were responding to a fire near CIG and Hagy Roads.
Officials say the fire is east of Highway 287 and north of the Canadian River. The fire is near the area of the fire from over the weekend in Moore County.
Eric Smith, Lake Meredith Superintendent, says the start of the fire is under investigation, and is unclear if this is a restart or a new fire.
Firefighters employed both direct and indirect tactics along the flanks and head of the fire.
