How to help victims of the Texas wildfires
Wellwishers from Texas and beyond are being urged to donate money and practical items to help people affected by the Texas wildfires, particularly farmers and ranchers in the Panhandle.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension said in a Facebook post last night that anyone could donate money to funds run by Amarillo National Bank and the Hutchinson County United Way Relief Fund.
The Red Cross, which is running a shelter at the Dome Civic and Convention Center in Borger, is asking for essentials such as water, diapers, wet wipes and non-perishable food — but not clothing or furniture.
The Volunteer Fire Department in Stinnett has asked for the same, while a livestock supply point was due to be set up in Pampa with a request for wire, cedar posts, hay, feed and portable diesel.
“Thank you for your love and concern for the residents of Hutchinson County and all the Texas Panhandle towns as we begin to wrap our heads around this disaster,” the A&M AgriLife Extension said.
Satellite infrared image reveals areas scorched by wildfire
This satellite color infrared image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an active fire line and burn scars from the Smokehouse Creek wildfire northwest of Miami, Texas yesterday.
Burned vegetation appears in shades of black/grey and healthy, not burned, vegetation appears in shades of red/pink. A cluster of wildfires is scorching the Texas Panhandle, including a blaze that grew into one of the largest in state history.
More than 1 million acres are burning across Texas
An area covering more than 1,500 square miles, more than 1 million acres, was burning across the state of Texas as of 3.30 a.m. ET this morning, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
At least 23 fires were in progress — the biggest of them, at Smokehouse Creek, covers more than 850,000 acres and is only 3% contained.
Several smaller fires, many of them in the western part of the state with some covering just 1 acre, have been put out.
‘It was getting hard to breathe’; Texas couple recalls massive wildfire
A Texas couple talks to NBC News’ Tom Llamas about the impact of the wildfire burning across the panhandle. Video provided by the couple show flames from the fire near the motel they own.
More hot, windy weather in store for weekend
The National Weather Service in Amarillo says the region faces a forecast that will likely cause “critical fire weather conditions again.”
Highs will get into the high 70s starting tomorrow, but on Saturday and Sunday high winds of 20 to 30 and 35 mph are forecast. Heat and high winds help fuel wildfires like those seen in the Texas Panhandle, which are ongoing.
Today, there is a chance of a wintry mix for some of the areas in the panhandle impacted by the fires, the weather service said.