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Fast-moving wildfires swept through the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma on Friday, triggering evacuations, causing car crashes, and leaving thousands without power.
Officials reported at least three deaths from car crashes in the Amarillo region, where sandstorm conditions worsened the situation.
The wildfires spread rapidly due to strong winds and dry air across the parched landscapes of eastern New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and parts of the Midwest.
The National Weather Service warned that more fires could break out on Saturday.
By Friday afternoon, over 100,000 people lost power in the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma, according to poweroutage.us.
Authorities warned of possible rolling blackouts to prevent fires from downed power lines. In Norman, Oklahoma — about 15 miles south of Oklahoma City — some residents were urged to evacuate.
In Texas, Highway Patrol officials reported more than 36 car crashes in the Lubbock and Amarillo areas.
State Highway 207 between Borger and Panhandle was closed after a multivehicle pileup. Sgt. Cindy Barkley from the Texas Department of Public Safety said they were overwhelmed with crash reports.
Images shared on social media showed scenes of chaos, with emergency workers struggling against a thick sandstorm while checking vehicles for trapped passengers.
One man filming the storm compared the landscape to Mars, saying, “You want to go to Mars, this is Mars.”
On Thursday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott instructed the Division of Emergency Management to provide all necessary resources to the affected areas.
He emphasized that the state is closely monitoring the growing wildfire threats and urged residents to make emergency plans, avoid activities that could start fires, and follow local officials’ advice to stay safe.
The wildfires are expected to continue spreading over the weekend. This story is developing, and updates will follow.
