Fire crews across the Texas Panhandle continue working Thursday to control the Yellow Fire, while several other recent wildfires in the region have now been fully contained.
The Yellow Fire, which began Tuesday evening east of Channing, Texas along Highway 354, has spread across multiple counties including Hartley County, Moore County, Oldham County, and Potter County. Officials report the fire has burned 14,374 acres and is now 85% contained as crews continue suppression efforts.
Evacuations ordered Wednesday for residents and facilities in Valle De Oro, the LIT headquarters, and Boys Ranch have since been lifted. Authorities say firefighters remain on scene conducting mop-up operations and reinforcing containment lines.
Heavy equipment is currently being used to repair and strengthen fire lines surrounding the burned area. Firefighters are also patrolling the fire’s perimeter to locate remaining hotspots. Some vegetation inside the containment zone continues to burn, but officials say these interior pockets are not threatening established control lines.
Wind gusts in the area have caused ash to become airborne, occasionally reducing visibility for crews working near the fire.
Multiple agencies are assisting with the response, including local volunteer departments from Hartley, Dalhart, and Channing, as well as the Texas A&M Forest Service and regional strike teams.
Elsewhere in the Panhandle, the Eastern Fire in Randall County, about nine miles southeast of Canyon, Texas, has been fully contained after burning 78 acres.
The Cabin Creek Fire, which started in Gray County and spread into Wheeler County, is also now 100% contained. That fire burned nearly 7,000 acres. Firefighters were able to protect two homes and prevent flames from reaching nearby oil infrastructure during the height of the blaze earlier this week.
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