AMARILLO, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration Tuesday after wildfires broke out in 60 Texas counties, including all 26 in the Panhandle.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, at least 77,135 acres were burned by 13 wildfires Monday due to dry conditions and above-normal temperatures.
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The majority of the damage was done by four fires in the state’s Panhandle: the Smokehouse Creek Fire, the Grape Vine Creek Fire, the Windy Deuce Fire and the Juliet Pass Fire.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire is the largest in the region, exploding to 200,000 acres since Monday afternoon and triggering evacuations.
It remained 0% contained Tuesday evening according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Gov. Abbott has called on the Texas Division of Emergency Management to provide additional support to firefighters across the state.
“I issued a disaster declaration today to ensure critical fire response resources are swiftly deployed to areas in the Texas Panhandle being impacted by devastating wildfires,” said Gov. Abbott. “The State of Texas stands ready to provide support to our local partners and deploy all resources needed to protect our fellow Texans and their property.”
Fire weather conditions are expected to ease during the day Wednesday thanks to an incoming cold front.