Agencies were working to contain new fires Sunday, May 17 in Potter and Oldham counties in the Texas Panhandle.
The Blue Diamond Fire around the Boys Ranch area was an estimated 500 acres, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service, while the Stinky Fire near Amarillo was about five acres.
City landfill fire
The Amarillo Fire Department said at 6:21 p.m. that the landfill fire is contained to the trash pit itself, with less than five acres burning. Units are patrolling the perimeter for hot spots and embers, while the Amarillo Police Department has blocked off the area.
AFD said around 4:10 p.m. that 13 units were responding on a landfill fire at 16250 Bezner Road with Potter and Oldham County agencies after a for a mutual aid request from Oldham County.
The Amarillo Office of Emergency Management said at around 4:45 p.m. that voluntary evacuations on the west side of Amarillo outskirts were taking place in Two Deer Trail, Bishop Estates, and Quail Canyon due to wildfire until further notice. In addition, roads could have been blocked or congested, so residents were urged to plan their routes accordingly.
“Residents in affected areas should gather medications, important documents, pets, and essential items now in case mandatory evacuation becomes necessary. Please avoid the area to allow emergency crews to operate safely and efficiently. Residents should remain alert, monitor trusted local sources for updates, and be prepared to leave quickly if additional evacuation orders are issued,” the Amarillo OEM said.
Authorities were asking people to avoid the area so first responders can work on the fire and get emergency vehicles in and out at the scene.
Two fire warnings were issued by the National Weather Service Amarillo office, as requested by Amarillo OEM.
At 4:37 p.m., a dangerous wildfire was located three miles northeast of Bushland, or 10 miles west of Amarillo, moving rapidly east / northeast at 3 to 5 mph. Areas impacted include around the Amarillo city landfill, primarily south of Tascosa Road. Smoke and fire will present a threat to life and property in the impacted areas. The Texas A&M Forest Service is sending support to this fire.
Boys Ranch fire
Another NWS fire warning, as requested by the Oldham County OEM, another dangerous wildfire was moving rapidly northeast at 3 to 5 mph over Boys Ranch, or 20 miles northeast of Vega. Areas impacted included Boys Ranch and Highways 385 and 87.
The Forest Service said the fire was an estimated 500 acres with 30% containment as of 8:04 p.m., with forward progression stopped.
The Oldham County Sheriff’s Office said emergency crews were responding to the Blue Diamond Fire near the intersection of US 385 and FM 1061, and FM 1061 from U.S. 385 to the Potter County line will be closed until further notice to allow emergency personnel to safely respond and contain the fire.
TxDOT said the RM 1061 closure was from U.S. 385 to just west of Ady. RM 1061 was also closed at FM 2381 (Bushland Road) in Potter County.
The Forest Service said the fire started around 4 p.m. approximately 29 miles west of Amarillo. Texas A&M Forest Service was requested to provide assistance with aircraft, heavy equipment and firefighters. At 6 p.m., heavy equipment worked the left flank of the fire and aircraft worked the right flank of the fire. At 7 p.m., the fire was turned over to local resources.
Forecast calls for continued critical fire weather conditions
The region wsa under a red flag warning for critical fire conditions through 9 p.m., and another fire warning runs 9 a.m. to midnight on Monday, May 18.
Severity:
Agencies make progress on Hunggate Fire
The Randall County Sheriff’s Office said the Chocolate Chip Fire merged with the Hunggate Fire, which had burned 34,124 acres and was 85% contained as of 12 p.m. Sunday. Large amounts of blowing dust and smoke-like conditions were possible in the area from burn scars and increased winds.
The Texas A&M Forest Service said between May 14 and 15, firefighters and all assigned resources responded to 18 wildfires, which burned more than 55,850 acres statewide.
This is a devloping story; more information will be added as it becomes available.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Fires spark at Amarillo landfill, near Boys Ranch area
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
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