Wildfires Fueled by Dry Conditions Quickly Spread Across Texas and Oklahoma

U.S. Wildfires

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Images on societal media showed a dystopian view of areas near Lubbock and Amarillo, Texas.

By Edgar Sandoval and Amy Graff

A fast-moving wildfire was spreading Friday afternoon over portions of the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma, prompting evacuations, causing several car crashes amid sandstorm conditions and leaving thousands without power.

Preliminary reports showed that at least three people had died in crashes in the greater Amarillo region, according to officials there.

The wildfire was being fueled by gusty winds and dry air across a parched landscape in eastern New Mexico and Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and even portions of the Midwest. Forecasters at the National Weather Service warned that more fire outbreaks appeared likely going into Saturday.

By Friday afternoon, more than 100,000 had lost power across the Texas Panhandle region and parts of Oklahoma, according to poweroutage.us. The authorities warned that rolling blackouts were a possibility to avoid fires caused by downed power lines. In Norman, Okla., about 15 miles south of Oklahoma City, the authorities were urging some residents to evacuate.

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In the greater Lubbock and Amarillo areas in Texas, Highway Patrol officials reported more than three dozen car crashes.

Sgt. Cindy Barkley with the Texas Department of Public Safety in Amarillo said that the agency was “inundated right now with crashes.” State Highway 207 between Borger, Texas, and Panhandle, Texas, was closed because of a multivehicle pileup. Preliminary reports showed that three people had died in crashes in the region, Sergeant Barkley said.

Images on social media showed a dystopian view of areas near Lubbock and Amarillo. Emergency workers were battling a heavy sandstorm as they went car by car looking for anyone trapped inside. A man taking one of the videos could be heard saying, “You want to go to Mars, this is Mars.”

On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas directed the Division of Emergency Management to deploy all necessary resources to the affected areas ahead of more expected wildfires over the weekend.

“The State of Texas continues to monitor the heightened wildfire threats that are impacting large portions of the state,” he said in a statement. “With dry conditions, wind gusts and low humidity increasing wildfire danger, Texans are encouraged to make an emergency plan, limit any activities that can cause a spark, and heed the guidance of local officials to keep yourself and your family safe.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Edgar Sandoval covers Texas for The Times, with a focus on the Latino community and the border with Mexico. He is based in San Antonio. More about Edgar Sandoval

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