People being asked to go to Elk City, Oklahoma
WHEELER, TEXAS -- Grass fires in the Texas Panhandle are keeping crews busy.
Update from Wheeler County Emergency Managment @8:30...
The winds have shifted, the fire is now moving south. Officials say that the fire is contanied between highway 83 and Magic City, they expect to have the fire under control within 3-4 hours. Highways 152 and 83 are now open, people can use those roads to get into the city
Updated Press Release from the Forest Service:
Wheeler County - Magic City Fire - N 35 21.493 W 100 23.628 - 8000 acres, however it is so smokey there, the size is hard to determine. A heavy air tanker from Midland, Texas has made one drop of retardant, and a tanker from Alamagodo, NM is enroute at the time of this message. It has been too windy for helicopters. Two SEATs (Single engine air tankers -- like crop dusters) have also been dispatched. The fire hit the town of Wheeler on the west side which is the side evacuations began on. Evacuees going to Elk City, Oklahoma. The population of Wheeler is 1400. Texas Forest Service bulldozers and engines are working the south and west side. On the north side there is still a threat to structures. The SE flank is an open line -- where work has yet to be done. Two residences lost, 12 damaged, 300 residences were initially threatened, 60 businesses initially threatened. The evacuation of the Wheeler Nursing Home has been lifted. They are working on generator power. The hospital self-evacuated 4 patients to the Hemphill County Hospital in Canadian, Texas. Eight assisted living residents at Wheeler hospital were evacuated to Elk City, Oklahoma. Approximately 200 people evacuated. Some evacuees being placed in Elk City motels.
Xcel tells Pronews 7 that power has been restored to Wheeler and area town!
