As of 7 a.m., 23 wildfires burned over a million acres in Texas, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. Firefighters may need support from other agencies, regions, or states when the state's fire preparation level rose to three.
The fires killed only an 83-year-old grandmother from Stinnett, according to family members. Family relatives reported former substitute teacher Joyce Blankenship was found deceased at home. The Smokehouse Creek wildfire, which is barely 3% contained and has scorched 850,000 acres—larger than Rhode Island—is the second largest in Texas history.
On Saturday and Sunday, fires are likely. Heat and gusty winds of 20 to 30 and 35 mph will likely bring "critical fire weather conditions again," according to the Amarillo National Weather Service.
This Maxar Technologies satellite color infrared image shows an active fire line and burn scars from the Smokehouse Creek wildfire northwest of Miami, Texas yesterday.
Burned vegetation is black/grey while healthy vegetation is red/pink. One of the largest wildfires in Texas history is raging in the Panhandle. A&M Forest Service: More than 1,500 square miles, or 1 million acres, were burning in Texas as of 3.30 a.m. ET.
The largest of 23 fires, Smokehouse Creek, encompasses approximately 850,000 acres and is barely 3% contained.Many minor fires in the west, some covering 1 acre, have been extinguished.
The National Weather Service in Amarillo predicts “critical fire weather conditions again.” Saturday and Sunday will bring 20–30–35 mph winds, but tomorrow highs will reach the high 70s. The ongoing Texas Panhandle wildfires are fueled by heat and heavy winds.
The weather service predicts a wintry mix for certain panhandle fire-affected areas today.
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