Strong winds have spread flames across the northern Texas Panhandle as fire crews work to prevent the largest wildfire in state history from spreading further.
The flames on Sunday prompted at least one evacuation as firefighters worked to stop the wildfire from spreading. Airplanes dropped fire retardant from above as the largest wildfire in state history ravaged the landscape.
The Smokehouse Creek fire, which has scorched more than 1 million acres (404,685 hectares) was estimated to be 15% contained by the afternoon. However, two other fires that have burned a total of 180,000 acres (72,843 hectares), are said to be 60% contained.
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It’s not known what started the fires, but strong winds, warm temperatures, and dry grass have made it difficult to prevent the wildfires from cooling down.
A cluster of flames has caused havoc in rural areas around Amarillo, with the biggest spilling into Oklahoma. Blazes have burned more than 1,900 square miles in total.
Sandford, a small town of 100 residents has been evacuated, according to the Amarillo office of the National Weather Service. Personnel are working with victims who have lost homes and livelihoods, as donations have been pouring in through the Hutchinson County United Way Wildfire Relief Fund.
Julie Winters, executive director, said: “We already know that a large group of people are uninsured who lost their homes. So without monetary assistance, it’s going to be very hard for them to start back over.”
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The organization estimates more than 150 homes have been affected, with fires extending to at least another five counties.
Alejandro Mayorkas, US Homeland Security Secretary said the federal government has devoted funds, equipment and personnel to assist with the fires. However, he warned more extreme weather may be on the way.
“More than a million acres have burned. And we are in winter, and this is the largest fire in Texas history,” Mayorkas said on CNN.
“We, as a country and as a world, have to be ready for the increasing effects of extreme weather caused by climate change. It’s a remarkable phenomenon, and it will manifest itself in the days to come, and we have to prepare for it now.”
Red flag warnings were issued by the National Weather Service yesterday. It warned residents of warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds which are spreading the flames. Warnings also covered New Mexico, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa and large areas of Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota. Small areas of Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota and Illinois also sit under the red flag warnings.
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