Wildfires destroyed 500 Texas homes and structures, Gov. Greg Abbott said today. His caution was that the number could climb.
Texas' Smokehouse Creek Fire spanned more than Rhode Island. The Texas A&M Forest Service reported 15% containment of the tens of thousands of-acre Oklahoma fire.
Two deceased confirmed. Former substitute teacher Joyce Blankenship, 83, was found dead at home by her family. Cindy Owens, 40, of Amarillo died yesterday two days after stepping out of her truck in Canada when the flames "overtook her," officials said.
Due to heat and high winds from three other wildfires, the National Weather Service anticipates "critical fire weather conditions again" throughout weekend.
The National conditions Service warns Texas Panhandle residents to “remain very vigilant” to prevent new fires tomorrow under severe fire conditions.
Everyone must know this weekend is fire-prone. All must be alert. Gov. Greg Abbott cautioned everyone to remain watchful this afternoon.
Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd recommended against obsessing over containment numbers. That should not give you false confidence. Weather will be firey this weekend.
He said, “When disasters strike, there’s no red states or blue states where I come from.” “Just needy families and communities. We support wildfire victims and will assist them recover.”
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