Single Publication

Size: 90,000

Containment: 25%

Start Date: Monday, February 26, 2024

Cause: Under Investigation

The Windy Deuce fire is currently burning in Hutchinson County. Texas A&M Forest Service is currently working in unified command with the city of Fritch, Hutchinson County, and National Park Service. Crews are working to protect public lives, properties, and slow fire spread in high wind conditions.

Yesterday: Crews worked overnight to construct containment lines around the fire and slow the fire growth towards Amarillo. Engines and heavy equipment from Texas A&M Forest Service, National Park Service, and Hutchinson County worked to construct lines and slow fire spread. Additional engine worked last night to assess structures in the community of Fritch and along highway 136. They patrolled through neighborhoods and worked to ensure that no additional structures burned.

Today: Crews are out working today to continue constructing containment lines around the perimeter of the fire. Heavy equipment such as bulldozers and motor graders are working to create lines of dirt around the perimeter of the fire so that there is no additional outward growth. Additional fire engines are arriving today and will be working to protect structures and patrol through already burned areas to prevent any further structure loss.

Aircraft from Texas National Guard will be on scene today providing water drops to aid in suppressing areas of intense fire and heat so that ground resources can go direct into the area and construct lines. There area large areas of unburned grass, or fuel, inside of the burned area so some of these areas will continue to burn today and produce smoke.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Winds are lower today and have shifted to come out of the south. With lower winds and lower humidities firefighters are taking advantadge of lower fire behavior to construct containment lines around the perimeter. Winds are expected to stay low through tomorrow with a slight chance of precipitation tomorrow morning. Winds are expected to pick back up by the weekend.

Evacuations: In the town of Fritch, the following neighborhoods have been evacuated: Double Diamond, Arrowhead Addition, Maverick, Alibates, McBride, Mullinaw, Harbory Bay, Chisolm Trail, Arroyo Grande, and Sage Brush. The City of Borger has opened two shelter locations: Church of Christ and Fairlands Baptist Church. In the City of Fritch, the shelter at Celebration Family Church is reduced in capacity.

Damages/Injuries: Structures have been confirmed lost at this time. This is an evolving situation and due to the complexity of the fire, there are no details on the number and type of structures that have been destroyed/damaged at this time. There are no reported injuries at this time.

Closures: Highway 136 is closed on both sides of Fritch.