Update: Smoke from Texas Panhandle wildfires impacting New Mexico air quality
While air quality in portions of Texas continue to be impacted by several wildfires raging in the Panhandle, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reporting "good" air quality in New Mexico through Wednesday, March 6.
Despite that, those living in southeast New Mexico with air sensitivity are being urged to reduce outdoor activity or remain inside if being severely affected.
The National Weather Service Midland/Odessa station reported on X that New Mexico is at risk itself to fire weather conditions as winds move across certain regions. Those most likely to be affected are in the southeast corner: Chaves, Eddy and Lea counties.
Critical fire weather conditions will develop by late morning across the northern half of our region. Dry and windy conditions will create perfect conditions for fires to spread rapidly. #TXwx #NMwx pic.twitter.com/fLX95s8lm8
— NWS Midland (@NWSMidland) March 3, 2024
Smoke and fire map of Texas wildfires
Wildfire smoke map: Track fires and ref flag warnings across the US
2nd largest wildfire in Texas history
The Amarillo Globe-News reported that wildfires have consumed more than 1.1 million acres in Texas, destroying homes and killing at least two people, in addition to thousands of head of cattle.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire has consumed a reported 1 million acres in the Texas Panhandle - Hutchinson County primarily - since its ignition Feb. 26. It's cause is unknown. As of March 3, the fire was only 15% contained.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a state of emergency for the impacted areas and enacted mandatory evacuations across several areas.
In Amarillo and Lubbock, smoke has been reported visible in the air.
Active wildfires in Texas Panhandle
A new wildfire sparked March 3 in Hutchinson County near Sanford and Lake Meredith. It was named the Roughneck Fire and has consumed about 300 acres.
That brings the number of active wildfires in the Panhandle to six.
Here's a look at how each is progressing:
Smokehouse Creek Fire — 1,076,638 acres and 15% contained.
Windy Deuce — 144,206 acres and 55% contained.
Grapevine Creek —34,882 acres and 60% contained.
Magenta — 3,297 acres and 85% contained.
687 Reamer — 2,000 acres and 10% contained.
Roughneck — 300 acres and 65% contained.
More: West Texas fire becomes 2nd largest in state history. What we know
What is the Texas Panhandle?
The Texas Panhandle is the 26 counties that border Oklahoma and New Mexico on the northwest of the state. The largest city within the 26 counties is Amarillo, which has a population of over 200,000 people.
See images from the Texas Panhandle wildfires
Below are galleries containing images of the damage and spread of the Texas wildfires.
Mateo Rosiles of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal contributed to this reporting. Alex Driggars of the Amarillo Globe-News contributed to this reporting.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Smoke from Texas Panhandle wildfires affecting New Mexico air quality
