Amarillo Mayor Cole Stanley and Mayor Pro Tem Don Tipps will hold a joint press conference at 4 p.m. Friday at the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, located at 10801 Airport Blvd., in Amarillo, to address issues surrounding the recent Potter County fire.
Stanley said in the announcement that he will address community concerns regarding the landfill fire and the response efforts conducted by city staff and personnel following the incident.
“At this time, it is extremely important that we continue to come together as a community while thoroughly researching and investigating all aspects surrounding the landfill fire and its aftermath in order to provide the public with transparency, accountability, and proper closure regarding these events,” Stanley said.
Stanley and Tipps will answer questions and provide clarification regarding the ongoing investigation into the landfill fire and the response from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
The Amarillo Office of Emergency Management held two press conferences with other officials this week regarding the fire, addressing the 77 houses destroyed or damaged, the re-entry process for evacuees and how people can get help. Assistant City Manager Donny Hooper spoke about the city’s response to the initial landfill fire on May 17, which quickly spread into area neighborhoods May 18 during critical fire weather and high winds.
The Stinky Fire remained 95% contained Thursday, May 21, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service, and had burned 2,335 acres.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo Mayor to speak on city landfill fire investigation, TCEQ info
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
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