City of Borger

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 29tth, 2024 Hutchinson County Wildfire Update: Texas Task Force 2 Aids in Recovery Efforts

Borger, Texas - February 29, 2024 The Windy Deuce and Smokehouse fires have significantly impacted our community. Our community is grateful for the response from so many. As of the latest update, the Windy Deuce Fire has burned 142,000 acres and is currently 30% contained. The larger Smokehouse Fire has impacted a staggering 1,075,000 acres, with containment at 3%. Unfortunately, one fatality has been confirmed from the Smokehouse Fire, highlighting the severity of the situation. The City of Fritch remains under a BOIL WATER NOTICE. Residents may pick up water at the Celebration Family Church, 811 E. Broadway in Fritch or the Dome Civic and Convention Center in Borger. Evacuations and Road Closures There are no current active evacuations in Hutchinson County. Roadways within Hutchinson County are open (check drivetexas.org for closure updates). Some impacted areas remain blocked for fire suppression and recovery activities. Law Enforcement in controlling access to the changing areas. . Search and Rescue Efforts: With the help of Texas Task Force 2, we have started clearing the residential areas impacted by the fire. If you have lost contact with someone in the affected areas and Contact: Adam Turner Texas A&M Forest Service adam.turner@tfs.tamu.edu (940) 328-9158 suspect they may be missing, please contact the Wildfire Information Line at (806) 273- 0955. Provide the name and address of the missing person to facilitate our search and rescue efforts. Please note that assistance cannot be provided without a specific address in the impacted area, typically south of Texas Highway 136, the area immediately south of FM 687, and areas east of Texas Highway 207. Donations and Relief Centers: We continue to accept donations at the Dome Civic & Convention Center (1113 Bulldog Blvd) from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries, diapers, and essential supplies are most needed. Clothing and household items continue to be discouraged at this time. Monetary donations will be most helpful as we begin to recover. Donations can be made to the Panhandle Disaster Relief Fund through the Amarillo Area Foundation at amarilloareafoundation.org/disaster. The Hutchinson County United Way also accepts donations at Amarillo National Bank and Pantex Federal Credit Union locations. Many other local banks have funds set up to accept donations. When making monetary donations, we encourage a trusted source, such as those mentioned above. Please contact the Wildfire Information Line at 806-273-0955 for volunteering or donation inquiries. Do not self-deploy; your assistance may be more critical in the future. Assistance and Support: First Baptist Church in Stinnett is assisting with meals and snacks for those in need. Many other churches and organizations are helping in the impacted communities. For those affected and in need of water, food, diapers, formula, or other supplies, please visit the Dome. We also have some gloves, buckets, tarps, and shovels to aid in the clean-up and recovery phase. Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) will be at Fairlanes Baptist Church in Bunavista on March 1st for relief, case management, and legal advice. Those impacted are encouraged to stop by to help provide and receive information on recovery resources and needs. Our thoughts are with those affected by these wildfires, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone contributing to the recovery efforts.