3 FIREFIGHTERS INJURED AT FAST MOVING TX GRASS FIRE

One hundred and fifty homes are threatened as of 5:45 p.m. on Monday and with mandatory evacuations. The Potter County Judge has signed an order for the area of Highway 136 and Stinnett Rd/ 245, El Rancho Rd and Bertrand Rd and Parsley Road. The Lighthouse Church at Loop 335 and Pavillard is a staging area for evacuees.

UPDATE| The Amarillo Fire Department said their crews, along with the Potter County Fire Department, Bureau of Land Management, Skellytown Fire Department and White Deer Fire Department and the Texas A&M Forest Service are fighting this fire.

According to AFD, the fire is moving “very quickly” to the east.

According the Carson County officials, at least three firefighters have been injured while battling this fire. All three have been taken to Northwest Texas Hospital.

The Texas A&M Forest Service is reporting at least 12,000 acres have been burned in this fire. As of 4 p.m., the fire, which started just before 2 p.m., the fire was zero percent contained.

Around 3:30 p.m., the Amarillo Fire Department said the Potter County Sheriff’s Office had shut down Hwy. 136 in both directions, between Fritch and Amarillo. Also, FM-683 and FM-293, to the west of Panhandle, have been closed.

AFD said there were airplanes with flame retardant and water on stand-by if they are needed.

UPDATE| As of about 2:35 p.m. on Monday, the Amarillo Fire Department said no structures have been lost in the grass fire Northeast of town and no evacuations have been called.

This fire is now being referred to by the Texas A&M Forest Service as the “Dumas Complex” fire.

AFD said the fire is traveling toward the intersection of Hwy. 136 and FM-293.

According to the City of Amarillo, staff at the Waste Water Treatment plant were evacuated from the building as a precautionary measure.