Story has been updated with new information
Emergency officials warned residents Wednesday to prepare for possible evacuations after a fast-moving wildfire ignited northwest of Amarillo amid critical fire weather conditions across the Texas Panhandle and surrounding High Plains.
The National Weather Service in Amarillo issued a fire warning at the request of the Amarillo Area Office of Emergency Management after the blaze was reported around 8:06 a.m. about 4 miles east of Valley de Oro, or roughly 19 miles northwest of Amarillo. The fire was moving northeast at 3 to 5 mph and threatened areas near Valley de Oro, Highway 87 north of the city and surrounding portions of northwestern Potter County.
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday across the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles. Forecasters expect southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph and humidity as low as 8% — conditions favorable for rapid fire growth and spread. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.
Residents were urged to be ready to evacuate if ordered, avoid driving into smoke and follow instructions from local authorities.
The Amarillo Fire Department deployed a strike team of multiple units to assist crews battling the wildfire in the Valle de Oro area. The Potter County Sheriff’s Office said RM 1061, also known as Boys Ranch Road, remained closed from RM 2381 (Bushland Road) to U.S. Highway 385 while crews worked and warned the public not to travel to the scene.
Later Wednesday, the sheriff’s office reported RM 1061 remained closed from FM 3381 to FM 2183 and along FM 2183 to U.S. Highway 385. North U.S. 287 from Givens Avenue to Four Way was also closed.
TxDOT officials said U.S. 87 was closed in both directions from FM 1719 just north of Amarillo to SH 354 south of Dumas due to the nearby wildfire and urged drivers to avoid the area.
In neighboring Moore County, authorities closed southbound U.S. 87/287 at Four Way because of the Lavender Fire, diverting traffic east onto FM 1913 or west onto Texas 354. Officials warned travelers heading toward Amarillo should expect significant delays.
The fire developed after a day of widespread wildfire activity Tuesday across the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma and Kansas, where strong winds and dry fuels sparked multiple blazes, prompting evacuations, warnings and road closures across the High Plains.
Updates on 8 Ball, Lavender, other fires in Texas, region
As of Wednesday morning, major active fires included the 8 Ball Fire in Armstrong and Donley counties, estimated at about 9,000 acres and 35% contained, and the Lavender Fire in Oldham and Potter counties, estimated at about 8,500 acres and 10% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
By late afternoon, the Texas A&M Forest Service updated the Lavender Fire to an estimated 12,000 acres and 10% contained, noting the fire had crossed the Canadian River and continued moving northeast with active behavior.
Further north, the Ranger Road Fire burning in Beaver County, Oklahoma, and southern Kansas had grown to roughly 283,283 acres, while the Stevens Fire in Texas County, Oklahoma, and Seward County, Kansas, was estimated at about 5,500 acres and 25% contained. The Side Road Fire in Texas County was estimated at about 3,629 acres and 25% contained. Kansas officials also reported an additional fire southeast of Liberal approaching Meade County.
Closures and cancellations
In Donley County, Clarendon Independent School District said no buses would travel to the Howardwick area or the back side of the lake Wednesday because of the ongoing response.
In Oklahoma, the Department of Transportation reported all wildfire-related highway closures in the Panhandle had reopened as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, including U.S. 64 between SH 23 east of Forgan and U.S. 283 near Rosston and SH 34 from U.S. 64 to the Kansas state line.
A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect Thursday morning through Thursday evening, when west to northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph and humidity near 9% are forecast.
Officials warned dangerous fire conditions could persist into Thursday as the region remains dry and windy.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Fire danger continues as Texas Panhandle crews battle active blazes
Reporting by Michael Cuviello, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
