Wildfires Scorch Over 5,000 Acres, 8 Structures in Panhandle

AMARILLO, TX-- After being placed under a Red Flag Warning, multiple wildfires have burned over 5,000 acres in and around the Amarillo area according to MyHighPlains.com.

One fire is burning near Southwest 9th Ave. in the shadow of the Amarillo Medical complex. It is reported to be 85% contained and the forward progress of the fire halted according the Amarillo Fire Department.

AFD reports that the fire, which burned an estimated 800 acres, began when a utility pole near Southwest 9th and Helium St. blew over in the high winds and the electrical lines sparked on the ground.

No injuries were reported in the fire and no structures were lost, according to AFD. In the same statement, it was reported that many of the medical facilities were preparing for evacuations even though they were not ordered to.

North of Amarillo, on Old Muddy Road north of Channing, firefighters from Panhandle, White Deer, Groom and Skellytown worked through the night to contain a fire which has burned over 4,400 acres and eight structures. Evacuations were ordered for people living between FM 722 and FM 354.

The fire was reportedly still a danger to five homes at 7:31 this morning.

The Potter County Sheriff's Office was waiting to make evacuations between FM 2381 and FM 1061 at the same time. Residents were advised to go to the Church at Bushland from PCSO.

The Old Muddy Road fire was burning towards a prescribed burn area just after midnight, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service which believed that will slow the fire down. However, winds have shifted and the fire was still reported as active in the canyons just after 7 a.m. Monday morning.

Twelve power polls fell down in the wind, sparking the Old Muddy Road fire.