A fast-moving wildfire burning through the Texas Panhandle is threatening to become the largest blaze in state history.
Authorities warn damage to communities from the Smokehouse Creek fire could be extensive; No injuries or deaths have been reported
Authorities had not reported any deaths or injuries as of Wednesday morning. With huge plumes of smoke billowing hundreds of feet in the air, officials warned residents of potentially large property losses. The town of Fritch, with a population of less than 2,000, lost hundreds of homes in a 2014 fire and appeared to be hit hard again.Greg Downey, describing his escape as flames bore down on his neighborhood
“It was like a ring of fire around Borger. There was no way out … all four main roads were closed,” said Adrianna Hill, 28, whose home was within about a mile of the fire. She said a northern wind that blew the fire in the opposite direction “saved our butts.” “Fortunately, the winds have weakened quite significantly,” Vanden Bosch said Wednesday. Breezy conditions were expected again Friday, and fire-friendly weather could return by the weekend, he said.
Pantex tweeted early Wednesday that the facility “is open for normal day shift operations” and that all personnel were to report for duty according to their assigned schedule.TEXAS, UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 28: Smoke rises on the roadway in Hutchinson County after the Juliet Pass fire broke out in Armstrong County, Texas, United States on February 28, 2024.