High winds stirred up fires and dust on Monday, prompting warnings and new alerts.
A mandatory evacuation and fire warning was issued for the neighborhoods near the fire at the Amarillo city landfill, which was closed early for high winds. RM 1061 (Tascosa Road) is closed from State Loop 335 to FM 2381 (Bushland Road) due to the fire, according to TxDOT. At least one home in the area was engulfed in flames, with several others threatened.
A dust storm warning was issued for central Randall County in the Texas Panhandle on Monday afternoon, May 18. Areas impacted are around the city of Canyon and south to soutwest, especially near the Hunggate Fire burn scar.
Due to high winds causing near-zero visibility in Randall County, the Texas Department of Public Safety has closed the northbound and southbound lanes of FM 1714 from FM 1705 to Arnot Road until 6 p.m.,” the Randall County Sheriff’s Office said. “Please use caution and seek alternative routes.” The sheriff’s office also said to avoid the area near FM 168 between Haley Road and Jowell Road.
Dust storm warning for I-27 area
“Due to strong southwesterly winds, a column of dust and ash is getting kicked up from the Hunggate burn scar and impacting portions of Potter and Randall county. The main impacts are expected to be in Canyon, Amarillo, and I-27 between the two cities. Use caution when having to drive through low visibility areas,” the National Weather Service Amarillo office said in an update.
The warning says the warning is for until 5:15 p.m. NWS said at 3:21 p.m., a dust channel was over Canyon, moving northeast at 10 mph. The dust is making travel very hazardous, with visibility at near zero and strong wind in excess of 50 mph.
“Dust storms lead to dangerous driving conditions with visibility reduced to near zero. If driving, avoid dust storms if possible. If caught in one, pull off the road, turn off your lights and keep your foot off the brake,” the warning says.
Evacuations near Amarillo landfill, new fire warning
The Amarillo Office of Emergency Management said a mandatory evacuation was effective immediately Monday, May 18 for Bishop Estates, Two Deer Creek, Eagle Tree, Quail Canyon, Bishop Ranches, Alta Vista Estates, Dripping Springs, and Silver Pointe, and the immediate surrounding areas due to wildfire. The evacuation was originally voluntary but was upgraded due to the spread of the fire.
A voluntary evacuation was also issued for the Bishop Hills area.
“This order is effective until further notice. Leave now and follow directions from emergency personnel. Roads may be blocked or congested, so plan your route accordingly,” Amarillo OEM said. “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.”
The NWS said in a fire warning that at 3:41 p.m., a dangerous wildfire was located four miles northeast of Bushland, or nine miles west of Amarillo, moving rapidly northeast at 3 to 5 mph. Areas impacted include around the Amarillo city landfill primarily south of Tascosa Road, including Bishop Estates.
The warning was issued at the request of the Amarillo OEM for southern Potter County, and smoke and fire will present a threat to life and property.
Another fire started north of Plainview off I-27, and U.S. 287 could be closed between Tulia and Kress for the fire, according to reports. Evacuations are underway in the Kress area as well.
This is a developing story; more information will be added as it becomes available.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: High winds bring dust and fire warnings, more evacuations near Amarillo
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
