Over 1 million acres burn during fires in Texas, Oklahoma
The largest fire burning is the Smokehouse Creek Fire north of Stinnett. On Wednesday, the fire exploded in size, growing from 300,000 acres to 850,000, making it the second-largest wildfire in Texas history.
Historic wildfire torches Texas Panhandle
A second straight day with strong winds and low relative humidity led to the explosion in size of fires burning across the Texas Panhandle.
STINNETT, Texas – Wildland firefighters are working to contain multiple massive wildfires burning in the Texas Panhandle region and across the Plains, fueled by dry vegetation and gusty winds.
Five major wildfires in the Texas Panhandle have consumed nearly 900,000 acres, prompting evacuations, road closures and emergency declarations.
The largest fire burning is the Smokehouse Creek Fire north of Stinnett, with only 3% containment. On Wednesday, the fire exploded in size, growing from 300,000 acres to 850,000, making it the second-largest wildfire in Texas history.
Firefighters drives through leaping flames in fire-hit Texas Panhandle
The intensity of the fire in the Texas Panhandle on Tuesday was captured in a video recorded by a crewmember from Greenville Fire-Rescue. The video shows their truck driving through the flames, sparks, and smoke during their response in the area.
Firefighters have not said what started the giant blaze, but cooler temperatures and less gusty wind allowed firefighters to gain some control over the fire on Wednesday.
Parts of this region will see snow potentially falling on the fires Thursday as a weak low-pressure system moves into the Texas Panhandle from New Mexico, the FOX Forecast Center said. Accumulations will be very light, generally under 1 inch.
However, as quickly as the weather shifts to help the firefight, it will shift back to potentially hamper it. Temperatures on Friday will warm back into the 70s with 30-plus-mph winds and relative humidity below 20%. These conditions are expected to persist through the weekend.
Horses run alongside motorists fleeing Texas wildfires
Horses were seen running alongside cars on a highway in Wheeler, Texas, on Tuesday, as out-of-control fires in the Texas Panhandle prompted evacuation calls in a number of areas.
Hutchinson County officials said one person was killed and dozens of structures were damaged after flames erupted Monday.
The fire is believed to have started near the town Stinnett and primarily spread eastward.
State authorities have not stated what they believe caused the initial flames to ignite.
Firefighters also worked to protect people and structures in the town of Canadian, in Hemphill County. The wildfire burned through an automated weather structure known as a Mesonet station Tuesday afternoon. According to the West Texas Mesonet, which operates the station, a temperature as high as 126 degrees was recorded at the site before it was destroyed.
Gusty winds between 40 and 50 mph pushed the fire north of Pampa, Texas, according to Texas A&M Forest Service.
Operations at a nuclear weapons facility outside of Amarillo were halted after flames got dangerously close to the property. Late Tuesday, Pantex said all the facility's employees were accounted for, and firefighters were in structure protection mode, but the property remains secure.
The video below shows the explosive North CIG Fire, which started Saturday south of Dumas, Texas, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. When the brush fire first started along CIG Road, it was about 750 acres. By Sunday night, when the blaze was fully contained, the wildfire had consumed more than 4,000 acres.
Brush fire flames spread in North Texas during critical fire weather
Video from the Texas A&M Forest Service shows flames from the brush fire in the Texas Panhandle over the weekend. Fueled by winds and dry weather the fire exploded in size to 4,000 acres. (Video credit: Texas A&M Forest Service via Storyful)
US WILDFIRE ACTIVITY OFF TO SLOWEST START IN MEMORY
A polar-orbiting satellite captured the stunning growth of the fire across the Texas Panhandle. The dangerous situation was enhanced by an approaching cold front, which helped trigger windy conditions and erratic fire activity.
Satellite animation of fast-moving brush fires. (NOAA)