High winds and severe dry conditions in the Panhandle and West Texas regions of the state are adding fuel for several fires to rapidly spread.
Earlier in the week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott activated state wildfire response resources in anticipation of elevated-to-critical fire weather conditions in large areas of South, West and Northwest Texas this week.
On Tuesday, the governor elevated the state’s Emergency Operations Center readiness to Level II (Escalated Response) due to the critical threat of wildfires to communities around the state.
With fires popping up around the Panhandle-South Plains region, here is a current look at how big some of the fires are and their containment level as of Tuesday evening, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Where are fires in the Texas Panhandle?
As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, there are at least five fires in the Panhandle region of Texas — three of which are 100% contained.
Those include:
However, there are two fires that are still classified as active.
What is the status of 8 Ball Fire in Texas?
According to a 4:58 p.m. update, there is an active fire in Armstrong County east of Goodnight, Texas.
TAMFS reports that the fire is still active and is around 5,000 acres with 0% containment.
What is the status of Lavendar Fire in Texas?
According to a 4:25 p.m. update, there is an active fire in Oldham County along U.S. Highway 385 just south of Tascosa, Texas.
TAMFS reports that the fire is still active and is around 500 acres with 0% containment.
Where are the fires in West Texas
West Texas is currently seeing one active fire — the Arbor Fire — near Plainview, Texas.
According to a 4:44 p.m. update, the fire is still active and is around 600 acres with 8% containment.
Texas Wildfire map: Where are the fires currently?
Mateo Rosiles is a reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and USA TODAY Network in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: High winds, dry conditions fuel fires in Texas Panhandle, South Plains
Reporting by Mateo Rosiles, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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