First responders were battling another grass fire on Monday, March 9 in the Texas Panhandle — this time in Gray County.
The Texas A&M Forest Service said the Cabin Creek Fire was an estimated 6,500 acres as of 11:51 a.m. Tuesday, and was about 65% contained.
The blaze came as much of the Panhandle, western Oklahoma and northeastern New Mexico were under a red flag warning for most of the day, according to the National Weather Service in Amarillo.
NWS also issued a fire warning at 5:35 p.m. Monday, at the request of the Gray County Emergency Management for northeastern Gray County, noting the fire was located about five miles east of Lefors, or 14 miles south of Miami, moving rapidly northeast at 3 to 5 mph. The warning noted that smoke and fire would present a threat to life and property near State Highway 152. The warning was later lifted, and forward progression of the fire was stopped.
The Texas Department of Transportation alerted the community about FM 2857 from FM 1321 to Hwy. 152 and Hwy. 152 from Laketon to Mobeetie being closed due to the fire, and people were asked to avoid the area. The roads later reopened back up to traffic.
NWS Amarillo earlier noted on Facebook that it continued to be warm, dry and windy in the area, making fire danger reach critical levels: “Two new fires in the past 20 minutes. One just east of Lefors, TX, and another east of Stratford, TX. Please continue to travel carefully, and limit outdoor activities that can create sparks.”
The fire near Stratford was quickly contained.
A fire the day prior in Oldham and Hartley counties on Sunday, March 8 burned about 745 acres, north of the site of the Lavender Fire in February. The Maroon Fire sparked south of Channing, and U.S. Highway 385 from Channing to Boys Ranch was closed while first responders worked to contain the fire.
According to the weather forecast, the region was set to have storms pass through Tuesday, but no measurable rainfall was expected.
The region continues to see a very active fire season, with dry vegetation, warmer temperatures and strong winds adding to the risk.
This is a developing story; more information will be added as it becomes released.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Fire burns in Gray County amid critical danger in Texas Panhandle
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
