Update (12:37 p.m. Wednesday)
Texas A&M Forest Service reports that the “Cadillac Fire” in Potter County has been 100% contained. Officials state that the fire was 143 acres.
“Fire crews patrolled the fire this morning and also worked to improve firelines around the perimeter,” officials said Wednesday afternoon.
Update (8:43 p.m. Tuesday)
Texas A&M Forest Service reports that the “Cadillac Fire” in Potter County is 143 acres and is now 98% contained. Crews are focusing their efforts around structures and areas of concern near containment lines. Crews will continue to monitor the fire overnight.
Update (11:41 a.m. Tuesday)
Officials with the Potter County Sheriff’s Office provided a statement on the ongoing ‘Cadillac’ fire which occurred Monday in west Potter County. The statement, written on its Facebook page, said this:
“I have to say we had a tragic event near the Indian Hills area yesterday, that destroyed property but Thank God no one was hurt! I know several were upset when we would not allow them in to get pets or check on the house, but we do that for your safety. 1st responders are driving up and down the street, focused on fighting the fire and then having to go get water! Shout out to all that were out helping, PCSO, PCFR, DPS, APD, AFD, Game Wardens, State resources. Also to Camping World for allowing us to use their parking lot for command central and for the water they donated. To Toot n Totum for the cases of water provided, to 100 Club of the Panhandle for water, Gatorade, and snacks, and Pizza Hut for the 30 pizzas delivered, also the Church of Bushland for opening the church for evacuees. I am sure I missed someone but know all was appreciated.
“Folks we are not done until we get a significant amount of moisture we are and will be in danger of this happening again, please pray for rain,” the statement continued. “The fire started in the median of I40 and spread from there. Unknown what started it, dragging (a) chain on a trailer or cigarette throw out the window who knows. All I ask is to be extremely careful in all you do so we don’t have another incident like this. Thank God for no loss of life! Please be careful in what you do. Also if a fire starts DO NOT go out to look, you congest the area of us trying to get folks out and 1st responders getting in and out! Stay safe out there and God be with those that lost property and everything they had.”
Update (10:07 p.m.)
According to Xcel Energy officials, power is estimated to be restored at Midnight at the earliest due to power poles needing to be replaced.
Update (9:44 p.m.)
Officials with the Texas Wildfire Incident Response System through the Texas A&M Forest Service are now saying that the ‘Cadillac’ fire is now 95% contained. It is estimated at 143.7 acres. Officials previously said that forward progression of the fire has been stopped. The evacuation order has been lifted for individuals impacted by the fire.
UPDATE (9:11 p.m.)
Potter County Fire-Rescue reports that four homes and 11 outbuildings were destroyed in the fire and no human casualties were reported. PCFR said Texas A&M Forest Service, Randall County Fire Department, Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, Potter County Sheriff Office, Amarillo Fire Department, Amarillo Medical Services, Atmos Energy, American Red Cross, Amarillo Police Department, Amarillo Emergency Service (AES), Texas Department of Transportation, and Xcel Energy helped with the fire.
PCFR also said The 100 Club of the Texas Panhandle donated water, sports drinks, snacks, and pizzas and Dyers BBQ donated food and water.
Update (8:28 p.m.)
Potter County Sheriff Brian Thomas said the evacuation order has been lifted crews are now in the mopping up phase as people are escorted back into the neighborhood.
Update (7:48 p.m.)
Xcel Energy reports that power has been restored to some houses in the area around the grass fire. TxDOT Amarillo reports that SL 335 has reopened.
Update (6:08 p.m.)
Potter County Sheriff Brian Thomas told MyHighPlains.com that Helium Rd. has reopened, with GIrl Scout Rd. and Indian Hills Rd. continuing to be closed. So far, Thomas said seven structures have been burned but Thomas has reported that no one has died.
Thomas said the goal is to have evacuated individuals back in their homes before dark. Officials are hitting hot spots of the fire at this point. Officials with the Texas A&M Forest Service previously reported that forward progression of the fire has been stopped.
Update (5:54 p.m.)
Officials with the Texas Wildfire Incident Response System through the Texas A&M Forest Service are now saying that the ‘Cadillac’ fire is now 40% contained. It continues to be estimated at 100 acres. Officials previously said that forward progression of the fire has been stopped.
Update (5:52 p.m.)
Officials with the Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains organization announced that they are aware of the Cadillac Fire impacting Potter County near Camp Kiwanis. According to a statement made to the organization’s Facebook account, officials said “The camp has lost power, and our camp ranger has safely evacuated camp as emergency crews work to contain the fire. Our hearts and prayers go out to all impacted by this wildfire and all wildfires across Texas and Oklahoma today.”
Update (5:32 p.m.)
Officials with the city of Amarillo announced that a shelter location for the “Cadillac” Fire has been established at The Church at Bushland, located at 1800 Simmons St. in the ARC student building. The American Red Cross is on the scene.
Update (5:19 p.m.)
The Amarillo District of the Texas Department of Transportation said that traffic traveling southbound on State Loop 335 is being detoured to RM 1061 because of the fire.
Update (5:16 p.m.)
Officials with the Texas Wildfire Incident Response System through the Texas A&M Forest Service are now saying that the forward progression of the “Cadillac” fire has been stopped. Officials with the forest service said that the head of the fire was “cut off.” The forest service continues to report that the fire is 20% contained and continues to be estimated at 100 acres.
Update (5:13 p.m.)
Officials with the Potter County Sheriff’s Office told MyHighPlains.com that Indian Hills Rd. and Girl Scout Rd. have been evacuated. Officials are working to evacuate Helium Rd.
So far, officials have stated that two structures have burned in the fire. However, officials do not know the extent of the damage at this time.
Update (4:58 p.m.)
Officials are now saying that the “Cadillac” fire is now 20% contained. The fire continues to be estimated at 100 acres.
Update (4:49 p.m.)
Officials with the city of Amarillo announced that officials with the Amarillo Area Office of Emergency Management are “actively engaged” in managing regional resources to combat the ongoing grass fire in the Indian Hills area. Officials are encouraging individuals to avoid that area.
Update (4:45 p.m.)
Officials with the Texas Wildfire Incident Response System through the Texas A&M Forest Service stated that the “Cadillac” fire is now estimated at 100 acres and is still 0% contained. In a tweet from the Texas A&M Forest Service, officials state that “Aviation resources have been ordered to assist with (the) suppression of the fire. Strike teams are engaged in building fireline and protecting structures.”
Update (4:36 p.m.)
According to officials with Xcel Energy, Xcel Energy has been asked to de-energize the area of the grass fire.
Update (4:27 p.m.)
Officials with the Amarillo district of the Texas Department of Transportation told MyHighPlains.com that officials have closed the Amarillo Blvd. in the area as well as Loop 335 between 9th and Amarillo Blvd. Officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety have also closed Loop 335 at Tascosa Rd.
Officials with the Amarillo district of the Texas Department of Transportation also told MyHighPlains.com that individuals who have been evacuated are going to The Church at Bushland, located at 1800 Simmons St. in Bushland.
Update (3:57 p.m.)
Officials with the Texas Wildfire Incident Response System through the Texas A&M Forest Service have called this fire the “Cadillac” fire. It is estimated at 50 acres and is 0% contained.
Update (3:54 p.m.)
Potter County Sheriff Brian Thomas told MyHighPlains.com at the scene that officials with the Texas A&M Forest Service are on scene at the fire, Officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Potter County Fire Department are also out at the scene.
Thomas said that officials are attempting to find a place for people to evacuate to. Thomas encouraged those who see fire and smoke to get out of the area, stressing that their life is more important than their home. Thomas also encouraged individuals to avoid the area, saying that if individuals do not live in the area, do not come to the area.
Update (3:30 p.m.)
Officials with the Potter County Sheriff’s Office have confirmed that the sheriff’s office, along with the Potter County Fire Department, are working a grass fire in the area of I-40 and Dowell and Indian Hill Rd.
“AVOID THIS AREA DO NOT GO TO LOOK!!,” a post on the office’s Facebook page read. “Emergency vehicles are in route and need the space!”
Original Story:
AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — Officials with the Potter County Sheriff’s Office told MyHighPlains.com Monday that individuals are being asked to evacuate the Indian Hills and Hope Road area North of I-40 because of a grass fire.
Officials are near the intersection of Indian Hills Rd. and Hope Rd. where there is a reported grass fire, in west Potter County.
MyHIghPlains.com has a team going out to the scene right now. This story will be updated with more information as it comes.
This story is developing. Check with MyHighPlains.com for updates
