Smell of Smoke in San Angelo Coming from North Texas Wildfire

SAN ANGELO, TX - This morning, the smell of smoke is strong in the air and many people have contacted LIVE! wanting to know what's burning.

At this time, nothing is, but the San Angelo Police Department issued a Nixle alert at 6:17 a.m. advising that smoke from the large grass fire in North Texas is "pushing its way south." Therefore, if anyone in the area sees flames, please call 9-1-1. 

However, officials emphasize that people only call if they actually see flames.

According to the Amarillo Globe-News (see here), Potter County and Amarillo firefighters started battling a large grass fire that started in the area of E. Cherry Avenue and River Road, east of Highway 287.

By mid-afternoon, the fire had burned eastbound and residents had to be evacuated.

"Fueled by high winds and low relative humidity, the wildfire quickly spread to near the Fritch Highway and FM 293," the Amarillo Globe-News reported. "As it approached homes near Webb and Stinnett Road, authorities began asking residents to voluntarily evacuate just minutes before Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner signed a mandatory evacaution order."

Throughout the evening, the fire spread, and, by 9 p.m., more than 23,000 acres had burned and more than 150 homes were threatened, reported the Amarillo Globe-News.

Emergency plans are in effect in the area, and multiple planes belonging to the Texas A&M Forest Service were dispatched to the area to drop water and fire-retardant materials. Unfortunately, anywhere between two and four firefighters have been injured while fighting this fire.

This blaze is one of many in the area. Recently, LIVE! reported on the Brownwood firefighters who recently went out to join the fight against these wildfires. See that story here.

LIVE! will continue to provide updates as they are received.