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Powerful Pacific System Impacting the West; First Significant Snow for Portions of the East

Power Pacific system will continue to bring significant impacts for Pacific Northwest into northern California the remainder of the week. Dangerous coastal affects, heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, and higher elevation mountain snow continues. Meanwhile, a storm across the east is set to bring the first accumulating snow to many higher elevations of the Catskills into the central Appalachians. Read More >

Amarillo, TX

Weather Forecast Office

Texas Panhandle wildires of Feb. 16-17, 2011

Weather.gov > Amarillo, TX > Texas Panhandle wildires of Feb. 16-17, 2011

 

Wildfires of February 16-17, 2011
Two fires occurred in Lipscomb County, TX on February 16, 2011. The fire in Central Lipscomb County burned 10,600 acres and the other fire in Southeast Lipscomb County burned 5,310 acres. The cause of the fires is unknown at this time.

Several structures were threatened, however, none were lost. Evacuations did occur as well. Multiple briefings were given to the local County Emergency Management Office as well as several fire department representatives through the afternoon and evening. An aerial survey was conducted by the Texas DPS and can be viewed by clicking the link below.

On February 16, 2011, one fire occurred just south of Dumas, TX and burned over 2,000 acres. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

Once NWS Amarillo learned of the fire, the fire weather forecaster immediately called the Moore County Emergency Manager and gave a briefing on weather conditions. The Moore County Emergency Manager was in constant contact with the NWS Amarillo office through the evening hours as the timing of a cold front was going to play havoc with the wind direction and subsequently the fire.

All of the fires that occurred were under Red Flag Warnings at the time of occurrence with lead times as high as 18+ hours. Many graphicasts were issued as well as numerous briefings and interviews were conducted. NWS Amarillo also briefed Amarillo/Potter/Randall County Fire Chief about the fire potential for the next two weeks.
 
 
Higgins/Lipscomb Wildfire Damage Assessment (Courtesy of Texas DPS/Amarillo EOC/Lipscomb County)
 

 

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