March 22, 2016
- By Paul Joseph, Paragon Communications News Director -
Interstate 40 has been shut down, both the east bound and the west bound lanes according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
No one has been hurt in a couple of large grass fires that have closed area highways – both of which are on the Texas side of our listening area.
Texas Trooper Cindy Barkley says the city of Lela has been evacuated. She says Lela is 5 to 6 miles west of Shamrock and the city of Shamrock is on alert and may also be evacuated.
Barkley says I-40 was closed about 2:45 and is still closed at this time. The fire is moving east, though the wind has shifted from the Northwest.
Barkley says the interstate is shut down between mile markers 149 and 153 and, again, in both directions, eastbound and westbound.
Earlier today, a fire about six or seven miles west of Wheeler closed State Highway 152 as a number of fire departments have been called out to battle the blaze that started about 1 pm this afternoon. Some say the fire began when a transformer sparked because of the wind. The Highway is closed between county road 19 and FM 592.
Beckham County Emergency Management Director Lonnie Risenhoover says the fire is reported to be near County Road 22 in Texas. The Sweetwater Fire Department was dispatched to help battle the blaze as the Erick and Sayre Fire Departments were put on standby.
A second fire has broken out southwest of Wheeler in the Magic City area. The fire departments of Shamrock, McClain and Lefors have been dispatched to battle that blaze. Less is known about this fire because it was only recently reported. It’s already shut down Farm to Market Road 2473, west and southwest of Wheeler.
Other fires could break out as sustaining winds continue blowing adding to the fire danger.
A High Wind Warning remains in effect until 9 PM CDT This Evening for the listening area while a Wind Advisory remains in effect from 9 PM this evening to 7 AM CDT Thursday.
- Winds will continue to increase with the strongest winds expected Wednesday afternoon. There will be a slight decrease in wind speed Wednesday evening but winds will still remain strong through early Thursday.
- Blowing southwest to west 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 50 mph. Then becoming northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph.
- With winds from the southwest and west winds shifting to the northwest late Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday evening.
- Driving could become difficult especially in high profile vehicles. Any loose outdoor items could also blow around.
- Other impacts: blowing dust could reduce visibilities in some areas. Visibilities of less than a mile may be possible in some locations.
The Northfork Electric Cooperative is experiencing outages across its service area because of the high winds. Electric customers are being told to contact the cooperative if they’re experiencing an outage at 580-928-3366.
The National Weather Service is urging care for those who are traveling or working outside.
They say winds this strong can blow lightweight objects around and make it difficult to keep vehicles on the roadway as it also creates areas of blowing dust.
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