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Update: Friday, 9:23 p.m.
According to the Randall County Sheriff’s Office, all evacuation orders in Randall County have been lifted.
Update: Friday, 9:17 p.m.
The Armstrong County Volunteer Fire Department reports a grass fire is burning near the Goodnight Rest Area.
Officials said first responders are currently on scene and are asking drivers to use caution while traveling through the area.
Update: Friday, 9 p.m.
The Randall County Sheriff’s Office announced that all evacuation orders for River Falls have been lifted.
Update: Friday, 8:26 p.m.
The Amarillo Area Office of Emergency Management said the Cole Community Center is no longer serving as an evacuation center.
Update: Friday, 8:04 p.m.
The Randall County Sheriff’s Office reported that Interstate 27 has reopened in both directions. However, nearby service roads remain closed.
Update: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
TxDOT reports that FM 1258 has reopened to traffic.
Update: Friday, 7:10 p.m.
TxDOT reports that U.S. 87 has reopened to traffic.
Update: Friday, 7 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service, two outflow boundaries are moving toward one another. Meteorologists said the stronger and faster-moving boundary is pushing north from the south, creating gusty southerly winds that could drive fires farther north.
Amarillo residents with respiratory conditions are encouraged to limit their exposure to smoke as air quality is expected to worsen across the area. Officials warned that “those with respiratory issues need to be aware that a decrease in air quality is likely to occur.”
Update 6:18 p.m.
Amarillo OEM has issued evacuation orders due to a wildfire for areas east of I-27 to Palo Duro Canyon, between Cemetery Road and Hungate Road.
The evacuation order remains in effect until further notice. Residents are urged to leave immediately and follow instructions from emergency personnel. Officials warn that roads may be blocked or heavily congested, so plan alternate routes if necessary.
Update: 5:04 p.m.
Texas A&M Forest Service reports that a newly named fire was reported in Randall County.
The “Western” Fire has burned about 50 acres as of 5 p.m. The fire was reportedly near West Hungate Road and Western Street.
Update: Friday, 5:00 p.m.
Texas A&M Forest Service reports that the “Chocolate Chip” Fire has merged with the “Hungate” Fire.
Officials say the fire is moving east. Single-engine air tankers (SEATs) are currently conducting drops, with additional aircraft en route.
Update: Friday, 4:46 p.m.
Friends of the Armstrong County Fire Departments report that, due to a wildfire in Randall County, FM 1258 and FM 1151 are closed westbound at Highway 207 until further notice. Drivers are urged to avoid the area.
Update: Friday, 4:44 p.m.
TxDOT Amarillo reports that I-27 is closed in both directions from SH 217 to Hungate Road due to reduced visibility from a nearby grass fire. Motorists should avoid the area and use alternate routes.
Update: Friday, 4:40 p.m.
According to the TxDOT Highway Conditions Map, Highway 70 is closed due to heavy smoke and low visibility.
Officials say a fire is approaching the roadway. Emergency crews are on scene, and the highway will reopen once conditions are deemed safe.
Update: 4 p.m.
The Randall County Sheriff’s Office is saying that residents in Pullman Acres need to evacuate due to approaching fires.
Update 3:28 p.m.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is closed and under immediate evacuation.
Update: 3:02 p.m.
The Amarillo Fire Department is asking residents who are voluntarily evacuating to avoid the Claude Highway if possible due to heavy traffic congestion in the area.
Update: 2:45 p.m.
Amarillo OEM reports that voluntary evacuations have been issued for residents near Cemetery Road, Circle J Road, and the River Falls Airport area in Randall County due to an active wildfire.
Residents in these areas are encouraged to evacuate as a precaution and remain alert for further updates. A temporary evacuation shelter has been established at the Cole Community Center, 300 16th St.
Update: 2:29 p.m.
The Texas Department of Transportation reports that US-87 is closed from south of Canyon to Hungate Road due to a fire in the area. Drivers are urged to avoid the roadway.
Update: 2:12 p.m. (Friday)
The Randall County Sheriff’s Office is asking drivers to avoid the Circle J Road area while crews respond to a structure fire.
Update: 1:20 p.m. (Friday)
The Randall County Sheriff’s Office advised the public to avoid the area near FM 168 and Haley Road due to a newly reported grass fire. Crews are currently responding.
Update: Friday at 2:20 p.m.
Throughout the damage assessment, it has been reported that several outbuildings and three residences have been destroyed. At this time, no injuries or fatalities have been noted. The damage assessment remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Hungate Fire is 40% contained and has burned approximately 14,000 acres.
Update: Friday at 10:30 a.m.
BNSF Railway issued a statement on Friday morning after one of its bridges was destroyed amid ongoing wildfires in the Texas Panhandle region.
“Thursday evening, two significant fires near Amarillo started during a thunderstorm that produced heavy lightning with minimal rainfall. The bridge at this location caught fire,” said the BNSF statement. “BNSF’s Plainview Subdivision is currently out of service due to the loss of the bridge.”
“A crew is on site working with first responders to clear the area and our teams are mobilizing to rebuild the bridge. We continue to monitor conditions closely to maintain safety,” the statement continued. “Customers in this area will continue to receive service by rerouting the traffic on an alternative route.”
Update: Friday, May 15, 6:40 a.m.
The Texas A&M Forest Service released updated containment figures Friday morning for several wildfires burning across the Texas Panhandle.
The McBride Fire in Carson County is now estimated at 2,192 acres and is reported as 100% contained.
Several other fires remained active as of Friday morning, including the Hunggate Fire in Randall County, which has burned approximately 14,000 acres and is 30% contained. The Shifty Fire in Potter County has scorched an estimated 5,000 acres and is now 80% contained.
Officials also reported the Roman Fire in Hartley County at roughly 2,000 acres with 65% containment, while the Line Fire — spanning Quay, Oldham, and Hartley counties — has grown to an estimated 23,000 acres and is 25% contained.
Update: 11:57 p.m.
A well-known trestle bridge leading into Canyon began collapsing in flames Thursday. High Plains Pundit has contacted BNSF Railway for information on how the loss of the trestle could affect rail deliveries and how long replacement efforts may take.
Update: 11:38 p.m.
The Amarillo Office of Emergency Management announced that evacuation orders related to the “Hungate” Fire have been lifted, allowing residents to return home.
Officials urged returning evacuees to use caution, as emergency crews remain in the area to continue monitoring conditions.
Update: 11:21 p.m.
The City of Canyon reported there have been no confirmed fatalities related to the “Hungate” Fire. Officials also said an unconfirmed number of structures were damaged or destroyed.
The American Red Cross assisted evacuees, and the Cole Community Center, located at 300 16th Street, was opened as an emergency shelter.
Agencies responding to the fire included the Canyon Fire Department, Canyon Police Department, City of Canyon, Randall County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Amarillo Area Office of Emergency Management, Randall County Fire Department, Randall County Emergency Service Unit, West Texas A&M University Police Department, Department of Public Safety, BSA EMS, Hereford Fire Department, Tulia Fire Department, and Texas A&M Forest Service.
Update: 10:37 p.m.
Texas A&M Forest Service reported the “Hungate” Fire had burned approximately 14,000 acres and was 15% contained.
Officials said forward progression of the fire had been stopped.
Original post:
Wildfires fueled by high winds, dry conditions and severe weather swept across the Texas Panhandle Thursday evening, prompting mandatory evacuations near Canyon and Amarillo as fire crews battled multiple fast-moving blazes that had burned more than 14,000 acres by late night.
The largest fires — the Hungate Fire and the Y Fire in Randall County — had collectively scorched approximately 14,000 acres by 8:57 p.m., according to the Amarillo Area Office of Emergency Management. The Texas A&M Forest Service reported the fire complex was about 10% contained late Thursday evening.
“At this time, we do not have a confirmed number of damaged or lost structures,” the Amarillo agency said in a statement.
The rapidly changing fire situation forced evacuations in several communities southwest of Canyon as smoke, dust and strong winds reduced visibility and created dangerous travel conditions across the region.
The Randall County Sheriff’s Office announced at 6:56 p.m. that evacuations were underway “in the area between Hungate Road and FM 1714 and Arnot Road and FM 1705.” Officials later expanded evacuation zones along FM 1705 and FM 1714 extending north and east to Brown Road, south of County Road 283.
By about 7 p.m., the Amarillo Office of Emergency Management issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents in the Chaparral Villas area near Brown Road and Cemetery Road outside Canyon. Officials also urged residents from Canyon Junior High east to U.S. Highway 87 to prepare for possible evacuations if conditions worsened.
Residents were advised to gather medications, important documents, pets and essential belongings in anticipation of potential evacuation orders. An evacuation shelter was established at Cole Community Center in Canyon.
As fires intensified Thursday evening, Canyon High School was evacuated and evening activities were postponed, according to social media reports. Additional mandatory evacuations were later issued near 13th Avenue in Randall County.
Some evacuation orders were lifted later in the evening as crews gained ground in certain areas. Megan Nance with the City of Canyon said residents in the Southwind neighborhood, along Rice Road and Cattle Drive, were allowed to return home.
The fires developed as severe thunderstorms moved through the Panhandle, bringing strong winds and lightning that officials said likely contributed to fire starts across the region.
The Hungate Fire in Randall County was estimated at 7,000 acres with no containment as of 7:40 p.m., according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. Another major blaze, the Shifty Fire in northern Potter County near U.S. Highway 87, had burned an estimated 3,000 acres by 8:16 p.m. The fire was initially listed at 10% containment before improving to 20% containment by 9 p.m.
The National Weather Service office in Amarillo issued multiple fire warnings Thursday evening at the request of the Amarillo Office of Emergency Management as satellite imagery showed numerous hotspots throughout the region.
At 5:56 p.m., the NWS warned that multiple dangerous wildfires were moving rapidly northeast through Potter County at speeds of 3 to 5 mph. Areas impacted included northern Amarillo, Interstate 40, Valley de Oro and U.S. Highway 287 north of Amarillo. That warning was later lifted.
A second warning issued shortly after 6 p.m. warned of multiple dangerous wildfires in southwestern Randall County moving east to northeast at similar speeds. Areas affected included Canyon, Highway 60 west of the city and Interstate 27 south of Amarillo. The warning was reissued at 7:51 p.m. and remained in effect until 10 p.m.
Officials warned that smoke and fire conditions could make travel hazardous and urged residents to be prepared to evacuate if requested.
The Amarillo Area Office of Emergency Management said crews continued responding to active grass and wildfire incidents throughout both Potter and Randall counties Thursday night.
“Residents may see smoke from varying locations depending on wind conditions,” the agency said in a Facebook post. “Please avoid affected areas when possible and use caution if traveling near emergency response activity.”
Officials also urged the public to avoid activities that could ignite additional fires, including parking on dry grass, outdoor burning and towing chains that may create sparks.
The dangerous fire conditions extended beyond Amarillo and Canyon. The Texas Panhandle remained under a red flag warning until 9 p.m. Thursday, with wind gusts reaching up to 30 mph, temperatures climbing into the 90s and relative humidity dropping as low as 14%.
The National Weather Service said the primary hazards associated with the scattered thunderstorms were strong wind gusts and lightning-induced fires.
Several other fires were reported across the region Thursday night. A blaze in Oldham County had burned about 50 acres before being fully contained by 9:15 p.m. The McBride Fire in Carson County was estimated at 600 acres and 40% contained as of 8:33 p.m. Additional fires were reported in Motley County.
The fire danger also spread into neighboring states. In New Mexico, mandatory evacuations were issued near Nara Visa because of the Line Fire. In Oklahoma, authorities issued a fire warning for southern Cimarron County near Boise City as another wildfire rapidly advanced east-northeast near Highway 287.
Transportation disruptions accompanied the fires. The Texas Department of Transportation temporarily closed U.S. Highway 54 between RM 3296 and the New Mexico state line due to fire activity before reopening the roadway later Thursday evening.
Power outages were also reported across portions of the Panhandle and South Plains. Xcel Energy’s outage map showed around 20 outages affecting more than 1,650 customers by approximately 8:15 p.m.
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