Panhandle wildfire Monday recap: The latest on Roughneck, Smokehouse Creek, Windy Deuce
Alex Driggars
Editor's note: This file is no longer being updated. Find more comprehensive coverage of the Panhandle wildfires at amarillo.com.
A series of wildfires that sparked a week ago is continuing to wreak havoc on the Panhandle, scorching more than 1.1 million acres in total, destroying hundreds of homes and taking the lives of at least two residents, in addition to thousands of head of cattle.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire is one of more than five wildfires that have ignited in the Panhandle this week — and it made history as the largest wildfire on record in Texas. The wildfire has burned more than 1,078,000 acres, equivalent to about 1,700 square miles. As of Monday, the wildfire, which is now five times the size of New York City and larger than the entire state of Rhode Island, is about 15% contained.
A new fire sparked Sunday afternoon in Hutchinson County near Sanford and Lake Meredith. Dubbed the Roughneck Fire, it has burned about 300 acres and is about 25% contained. Forward progression on the fire was stopped Sunday night, according to the latest Texas A&M Forest Service update.
More:Filing cites downed utility pole as possible cause for Texas wildfire
In a visit to the Panhandle on Friday afternoon, Gov. Greg Abbott stated that the cause of the fires remains under investigation and the Texas Department of Emergency Management will continue to assess the damage.
"When you look at the damages that have occurred here it's just gone, completely gone nothing left but ashes on the ground," Abbott said during a news conference in Borger.
To see a map of the current wildfires, go to our Texas wildfire smoke map.
This is a developing news story. Check back at amarillo.com for the latest updates.
Roughneck Fire now 80% contained | 10:30 p.m.
Fire crews made additional progress on the Roughneck Fire in Hutchinson County Monday evening, increasing its containment to 80% by 10:30 p.m., according to an update from the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Though the fire did not necessarily grow, its reported size increased to 335 acres due to more accurate mapping, TAMFS said.
Crews worked Monday evening to douse hot spots and monitor for flare-ups and will continue to patrol the fire area overnight.
Firefighters make progress on Roughneck Fire | 4:50 p.m.
The Texas A&M Forest service reported in a Monday afternoon update the Roughneck Fire in Hutchinson County, which sparked Sunday afternoon, is now 65% contained and remained about 300 acres.
"Firefighters continue to patrol the fire area and improve containment lines," TAMFS said.
The Roughneck Fire caused a brief evacuation for Sanford Sunday night, but residents have since returned to their homes.
Gov. Greg Abbott to visit Canadian on Tuesday | 4:30 p.m.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will visit Canadian Tuesday morning, his second visit to the Panhandle in four days.
Abbott, Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd and other state and local officials will receive a briefing on the fires hold a news conference to update the public on fire suppression efforts.
The news conference is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Check back at amarillo.com for details about how to watch the presser.
Abbott received a briefing last Friday in Borger and warned Panhandle Texans to remain vigilant.
More:Gov. Greg Abbott gives updates on Texas Panhandle wildfire efforts
Cold front moves through Panhandle, shifting winds | Noon
The National Weather Service in Amarillo reported that a cold front through the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles Monday, shifting winds from west to north.
NWS predicts a slight chance of precipitation late in the week, with a 20% on Thursday and a 40% chance on Friday with cooler temperatures heading into the weekend.
Sanford briefly evacuated as Roughneck fire grows | 8:45 p.m. Sunday
Hutchinson County officials ordered evacuations for Fritch Sunday afternoon as the new-start Roughneck fire grew toward town. The evacuation order was in place from about 5:15 p.m. to about 8:15 p.m., when air drops stopped forward progression.
The fire was 300 acres and 25% contained at last check, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service, and county officials did not believe any structures had been lost to the Roughneck Fire.
What are the containment numbers for the wildfires in the Panhandle?
Here are the most recent containment numbers for all fires in the Texas Panhandle:
- Smokehouse Creek Fire — 1,076,638 acres and 15% contained.
- Windy Deuce — 144,206 acres and 55% contained.
- Grapevine Creek —34,882 acres and 60% contained.
- Magenta — 3,297 acres and 85% contained.
- 687 Reamer — 2,000 acres and 10% contained.
- Roughneck — 335 acres and 80% contained.
Texas Wildfire map: Where are the fires currently?
See Texas Panhandle wildfire photos
Below are galleries containing images of the damage and spread of the Texas wildfires.
