Wildfires raging in the Texas Panhandle have led to evacuations, power outages and the temporary closure of a nuclear weapons facility.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned 500,000 acres since it ignited Monday, making it the second-largest wildfire on record in the Lone Star State, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The flames have spread at an average rate of 150 football fields per minute, according to cnn Meteorologist Brandon Miller.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties in response to the wildfires.
“Texans are urged to limit activities that could generate sparks and take precautions to keep their loved ones safe,” Abbott said.
More than 5,400 people in Texas were without power Wednesday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned 500,000 acres since it ignited Monday, making it the second-largest wildfire on record in the Lone Star State.
Flames from the Smokehouse Creek Fire have spread at an average rate of 150 football fields per minute. Pictured are remains of plants burned by the Smokehouse Creek Fire.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties in response to the wildfires.
A view of the charred grasslands that were burned by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire
More than 5,400 people in Texas were without power Wednesday morning, according to PowerOutage.us
Wind gusts of up to 60 mph, dry conditions and unusually warm temperatures have fueled the fires.
The Pantex plant, the country’s main facility that assembles and dismantles the US nuclear arsenal, had evacuated most of its staff Tuesday night as fires raged out of control near its facilities.
Earlier Wednesday, Pantex tweeted that the facility “is open for normal day shift operations” and that all staff were required to report to work according to their assigned schedule.
“The Smokehouse Creek Fire is being fueled by southwest winds up to 60 mph and is rapidly spreading east-northeast toward the town of Canadian in Texas.” AccuWeather said severe weather expert Guy Pearson.
Gusty winds, dry conditions and unusually warm temperatures have fueled the fires.
The Grape Vine Creek Fire has reached 30,000 acres, the Reamer Fire has burned 2,000 acres, the Windy Deuce Fire has burned 40,000 acres and the Magenta Fire has burned 2,000 acres, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Evacuations were ordered in Skellytown, Wheeler, Allison and Briscoe, according to the National Weather Service in Amarillo.
The Canadian Independent School District canceled classes on Wednesday.
“Houses have been burned in almost every direction,” Hemphill County Judge Lisa Johnson told the local newspaper. The Canadian record.
A view of a house that was burned by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire in Canadian, Texas
“Houses have been burned in almost every direction,” Hemphill County Judge Lisa Johnson told local newspaper The Canadian Record.
A charred vehicle sits in the driveway of a home that was destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek Fire. The Hansford County Office of Emergency Management said on Facebook: “Structures and homes lost in Hemphill County inside and outside of Canada.”
Evacuations were ordered in Skellytown, Wheeler, Allison and Briscoe, according to the National Weather Service in Amarillo.
Randall, Potter counties and the city of Amarillo had declared a state of local disaster, according to the Amarillo Area Emergency Management Office.
The remains of a bicycle are found in front of a home that was destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire. The Canadian Independent School District canceled classes on Wednesday
The weather forecast gave firefighters hope: cooler temperatures, less wind and possibly rain on Thursday
Randall, Potter counties and the city of Amarillo had declared a state of local disaster, according to the Amarillo Area Emergency Management Office.
The Hansford County Office of Emergency Management said on Facebook: “Structures and homes lost in Hemphill County inside and outside of Canada.”
“Multiple areas in and around Fritch were evacuated and several homes were lost to the fires.”
The weather forecast gave some hope to firefighters, with cooler temperatures, less wind and possibly rain on Thursday.
AccuWeather Meteorologist Dan DePodwin said, “Wednesday’s winds are expected to be 10 to 20 mph, which is much calmer than Tuesday.” This should assist firefighting efforts.’