Texas Panhandle wildfires(US), February 28 (Punjab Khabarnama): “We have seen tragedy today,” Texas sheriff says after the wildfires ravaged Northern Texas. The Fire had scorched at least 20,000 acres by Tuesday night.
The Smokehouse Creek fire, situated at the northernmost tip, remains uncontained and spans an estimated 200,000 acres. In contrast, the Windy Deuce and Grape Vine Creek fires are 20 per cent contained, while the Juliet Pass fire boasts a 90 per cent containment rate.
Emergency evacuations in full swing
Emergency evacuation orders are in effect for several counties as flames relentlessly consume the region. Meanwhile, in eastern Texas, the Mills Creek and San Jacinto fires continue to rage, both uncontained.
These infernos were stoked by dry and windy conditions, exacerbated by unseasonably high temperatures.
Interestingly, drought conditions do not play a significant role; much of the panhandle remains drought-free, with only small pockets in the western region classified as “abnormally dry” or experiencing “moderate drought.”
Today, the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts winds reaching up to 65 miles per hour. As Tuesday afternoon unfolds, additional fires persistently emerge, as noted by the NWS for Amarillo, Texas.
‘We have seen tragedy today’
As wildfires rage across Texas, more than 200 people have taken refuge in a church in Fritch, where the air is thick with smoke and flames are visible from the windows, according to church leaders.
Kirksey and Bobby Mac, two of the church elders, said the situation was dire and they hoped for rain. Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office said that the Windy Deuce Fire has burned more than 20,000 acres and is still out of control in Moore County.
