Texas Panhandle wildfire updates: The latest on Roughneck, Smokehouse Creek, Windy Deuce
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 morning, 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 for the latest updates.
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.
Texas A&M Forest Service increases acreage on Grapevine Creek Fire due to mapping | 1:15 p.m. Sunday
The Texas A&M Forest Service increased acreage of the Grapevine Creek Fire in Gray County to 34,882 acres. The increase in acreage was not a result of fire growth but to more accurate mapping. As of Sunday afternoon, the fire remains 60% contained.
The Windy Deuce Fire has also grown in acreage to more than 144,000 acres, growing by 2,000 acres on Sunday. It remains 55% contained.
Structure fire on Hill Ranch in Canadian; City of Canadian warns of potential power loss | 10:00 a.m. Sunday
The Canadian Record reported that local firefighters are currently responding to a structure fire near 2700 North River Road at the Hill Ranch.
Additionally, the City of Canadian has warned of potential power outages as Xcel Energy purges or restores power lines from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
National Weather Service - Amarillo and Texas A&M Forest Service warns of ongoing critical fire weather conditions | 9:50 a.m. Sunday
The National Weather Service office in Amarillo and the Texas A&M Forest Service says weather conditions will support additional fire activity today as southwesterly wind gusts reach up to 50 mph and humidity drops to less than 15%.
Currently, there's a small chance for rain, and possible thunderstorms, in the eastern Panhandle later this week, according to the National Weather Service.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument "burned completely over" by Windy Deuce; Smokehouse Creek Fire still only 15% contained | 7:15 a.m. Sunday
In an update on the Texas A&M Forest Service's Facebook page, Superintendent Eric Smith detailed the damage around Lake Meredith and Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, noting that the latter was "pretty much completely burned over."
Though there was no structural damage, the Windy Deuce Fire destroyed approximately 15,000 acres along the recreational area.
Additionally, with increased fire activity on Saturday, the Smokehouse Creek Fire remains only 15% contained.
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 — 300 acres and 25% 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.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Texas wildfire updates: New fire near Sanford 300 acres, 25% contained
