Single Publication

Size: 142,000

Containment: 30%

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 worked today to continue constructing containment lines around the perimeter of the fire. Heavy equipment such as bulldozers and motor graders worked to create lines of dirt around the perimeter of the fire so that there is no additional outward growth. Night operations will consist of one team of engines patrolling impacted residential areas to allow other resources to rest and start fresh Thursday morning.

Single engine air tankers (seats) were on scene today making water and fire-retardant drops to aid in the suppression of intense fire allowing the ground resources to construct line.  Large areas of unburned grass, or fuel, remain so these areas are likely to still burn through the night.  Todays large increase in acreage is due to more accurate mapping of the fire and impacted areas.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Winds are expected to remain calm through the night with elevated humidity.  The wind is expected to remain low through Thursday with potential still present for 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.