Wildfires continue to burn in the Texas panhandle as work to contain the flames is underway.
Firefighters warn Texas residents to be careful when venturing out this weekend. With predicted warmer weather, fire officials warn that the temperatures may cause more fires to spark in the area.
“Be cautious with all outdoor activities that may cause a spark this weekend!” Texas A&M Forest Service wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The fire environment will trend warmer, drier and windier across the Texas High Plains and northern Rolling Plains through Sunday ahead of a cold front passage on Monday.”
A red flag warning has been issued for the entire Texas Panhandle from 11 a.m. CST to midnight Sunday night. The warning was put into effect for strong winds and relatively low humidity weather conditions, according to the National Weather Service.
These warnings are implemented when temperatures and weather condition increase the risks of a fire.
Live updates on Texas wildfires:At least 400 buildings destroyed so far
Texas wildfires responsible for deaths, destruction
Texas officials have confirmed two deaths from the fires this week.
On Tuesday afternoon, Cindy Owen was driving in Hemphill County when she encountered fire or smoke, said Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Chris Ray. Owen got out of her truck and the flames overtook her.
A good samaritan found Owen and called for help. First responders transported her to a burn unit in Oklahoma. Owen died on Thursday morning, Ray said.
Another victim, an 83-year-old woman, was identified by family members as Joyce Blankenship, a former substitute teacher. Her grandson, Lee Quesada, said deputies told his uncle Wednesday they had found Blankenship’s remains in her burned home.
In addition to human lives lost in the wildfires, herds of cattle have been reported dead, the Associated Press reported. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller estimated the cattle death toll is likely in the thousands.
Texas wildfires have been burning for 5 days
The wildfires were ignited in the panhandle on Monday Feb. 26. The flames continued to spread throughout the state as dry, warm and windy weather conditions created obstacles for rescue crews to contain the fire.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire, about 60 miles northeast of Amarillo, is the largest reported fire in state’s history and has burned over a million acres of land.
Map of Texas wildfires
Where are the Texas wildfires?
According to the latest update by the Texas A&M Forest Service, there are five active wildfires burning in the Texas Panhandle region.
- 687 Reamer — Hutchinson County, 2,000 acres, 10% contained
- Grape Vine Creek — Gray County, 30,000 acres, 60% contained
- Magenta — Oldham County, 3,297 acres, 85% contained
- Smokehouse Creek — Hutchinson County, 1,078,086 acres, 60% contained
- Windy Deuce — Moore County, 142,000 acres, 60% contained
Contributing: Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY; Associated Press
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