Evacuations have been ordered in northwestern Oklahoma after a large wildfire called the “Smokehouse Creek Fire” crossed over from Texas.Open the video player above for sister station KOCO’s storm chaser coverage of the wildfire.The Texas wildfire doubled in size Tuesday and prompted evacuation orders in at least one small town as strong winds, dry grass and unseasonably warm highs fueled the blaze in the state’s rural Panhandle.Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties as the largest fire burned more than 300 square miles, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. That is more than twice its size since the fire sparked Monday.“Texans are urged to limit activities that could create sparks and take precautions to keep their loved ones safe,” Abbott said.The largest blaze, known as the Smokehouse Creek Fire, closed highways and remained 0% contained as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the Forest Service.Multiple fires were reported across Hemphill and Hutchinson counties, near the Oklahoma border. Texas state Sen. Kevin Sparks said an evacuation order was issued for the town of Canadian, a town of about 2,000 about 100 miles northeast of Amarillo, and other areas.The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings and fire danger alerts for several other states through the midsection of the country, as high winds of over 40 mph combined with warm temperatures, low humidity and dry winter vegetation to make conditions ripe for wildfires.Early Tuesday evening, evacuations began in the Gage and Shattuck areas of Oklahoma. Shortly after that, Woodward County Emergency Manager Matt Lehenbauer told KOCO that a 911 call placed in Ellis County reported a person trapped in a basement with their home on fire. Officials later said that the resident got out safely. Oklahoma City residents could see smoke in the air that blew in from western Oklahoma.The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Evacuations have been ordered in northwestern Oklahoma after a large wildfire called the “Smokehouse Creek Fire” crossed over from Texas.
Open the video player above for sister station KOCO’s storm chaser coverage of the wildfire.
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The Texas wildfire doubled in size Tuesday and prompted evacuation orders in at least one small town as strong winds, dry grass and unseasonably warm highs fueled the blaze in the state’s rural Panhandle.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties as the largest fire burned more than 300 square miles, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. That is more than twice its size since the fire sparked Monday.
“Texans are urged to limit activities that could create sparks and take precautions to keep their loved ones safe,” Abbott said.
The largest blaze, known as the Smokehouse Creek Fire, closed highways and remained 0% contained as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the Forest Service.
Multiple fires were reported across Hemphill and Hutchinson counties, near the Oklahoma border. Texas state Sen. Kevin Sparks said an evacuation order was issued for the town of Canadian, a town of about 2,000 about 100 miles northeast of Amarillo, and other areas.
The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings and fire danger alerts for several other states through the midsection of the country, as high winds of over 40 mph combined with warm temperatures, low humidity and dry winter vegetation to make conditions ripe for wildfires.
Early Tuesday evening, evacuations began in the Gage and Shattuck areas of Oklahoma. Shortly after that, Woodward County Emergency Manager Matt Lehenbauer told KOCO that a 911 call placed in Ellis County reported a person trapped in a basement with their home on fire. Officials later said that the resident got out safely.
Oklahoma City residents could see smoke in the air that blew in from western Oklahoma.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
