Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration due to multiple wildfires consuming thousands of acres of land in Texas.
The National Weather Service in Amarillo reported that wildfires were active in multiple counties in the panhandle at 12:30 p.m. on February 27. Satellite imagery revealed that the largest of these fires were in Hutchinson, Hemphill, and Roberts counties, with additional fires beginning in other counties.
Local fire units were dispatched to respond to these areas; however, high winds and low humidity have increased the threat posed by the fires.
Kevin Sparks, Texas State Senator for District 31, has since posted multiple mandatory evacuation notices for areas near and around the wildfires. Areas under evacuation notice include Fritch for Double Diamond Arrowhead, residential areas in Maverick Village, the city of Canadian, all of southeast Roberts County, and Scott’s Acres in Hutchinson County.
Locals in these areas are advised to move to designated fire shelters and to contact emergency services if needed.
Gov. Abbott’s disaster declaration applies to 60 counties across Texas. The governor also activated emergency state resources from the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Texas National Guard, the Department of Public Safety, and more to suppress the flames.
“Hot and dry conditions caused by high temperatures and windy conditions are expected to continue in the region in the coming days. These conditions could increase the potential for these wildfires to grow larger and more dangerous,” he said in a release. “Texans are urged to limit activities that could create sparks and take precautions to keep their loved ones safe. I also want to thank the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect their fellow Texans.”
The Texas Department of Transportation in Amarillo has since issued multiple warnings to locals due to smoke from the fires, even closing some roads due to low visibility.
Texas A&M Forest Service records that these wildfires have already consumed tens of thousands of acres. The Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County has so far consumed 40,000 acres, the Grape Vine Creek Fire in Gray County has consumed 30,000 acres, the Windy Deuce Fire in Moore County has burned 4,000 acres, and the Juliet Pass Fire in Armstrong County has burned 2,963 acres.
The organization had already received 13 requests for aid from wildfires that had consumed over 77,000 acres the previous day. Weather conditions that increase the potential for wildfire activity across the region are expected to last through the weekend.