UPDATE: 2/28/2024 11:00 PM – Joyce Blankenship, an 83 year old grandmother, is now confirmed to have died in connection with the massive Smokehouse Creek fire. Her body was reportedly found in her home in Stinnett by her family. The victim is reported to have lived in the Scotts Acre neighborhood.
UPDATE: 2/28/2024 5:05 PM – Largest of the four massive Panhandle wildfires, the Smokehouse Creek Fire, now 3% contained at the still-current approximately 850-thousand acres charred; size will be reassessed again when conditions allow.
UPDATE 02/28 2:00 PM5 -The largest of the Panhandle wildfires, the Smokehouse Creek fire, has exploded from 500,000 to more than 850,000 acres within a matter of hours today/Wednesday. National Weather Service Amarillo meterologist Christian Rangel warns that while winds fueling these wildfires will moderate today/Wednesday through Friday, winds are expected to pick up and fuel them again this weekend, with Sunday being a more critical fire danger day.
PANHANDLE (WBAP/KLIF News ) – Fast moving wildfires continue to spread in the Texas panhandle, prompting evacuation orders and the shutting down of a nuclear facility Tuesday afternoon.
Some residents in the rural towns of Canadian, Pampa and others were told to leave as neighborhoods and livestock were threatened.
Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties as the largest blaze, the Smokehouse Creek Fire, burned over 300,000 acres and jumped into Oklahoma.
The Texas A&M Forest Service said that fire is 0% contained as of Tuesday afternoon.
“Texans are urged to limit activities that could create sparks and take precautions to keep their loved ones safe,” said Abbott.
Pantex, the main facility that handles the United State’s nuclear arsenal, shut down its operations Tuesday night in Texas as wildfires burned near its facility.
The facility is located about 30 miles east of Amarillo.
Hutchison County Emergency Management and Borger city officials took to Facebook to tell residents where they could shelter in both cities.
“We still have areas without power, water and active burning. Pray for the safety of all involved. Also pack your go bag just in case,” said the post.
Meanwhile, fire crews from North Texas were called to help battle the blazes. Three firefighters from Flower Mound are helping battle the Smokehouse Creek Fire, north of Stinnett.
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