The city of Pampa said Tuesday evening it was “suggesting” a voluntary evacuation due to the threat of the raging wildfires spreading rapidly.
Pampa is roughly 50 miles northeast of Amarillo and 40 miles southwest of Canadian, where residents have been urged to shelter in place. Several blazes are raging nearby, including the Grape Vine Creek Fire and the massive Smokehouse Creek Fire, which had scorched at least 250,000 acres by Tuesday evening.
“We are now suggesting a voluntary evacuation for the City of Pampa. Go south 70 to i40 and go to Amarillo area or Clarendon,” the city said in a post on Facebook.
The Grape Vine Creek Fire is burning in Gray County — where Pampa is — and has already scorched 30,000 acres. It was 20% contained Tuesday afternoon, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Pampa officials said buses will be available for people who may need help evacuating the city.
“At this time sheriffs will be going door to door to SUGGEST evacuation North of County Line Road on Highway 70,” city officials said in a Facebook post Tuesday evening.
“IF there comes a time for the City to evacuate, a mass text will be sent (everyone will receive the text even if haven’t signed up to receive the text, per Gray County Emergency Management Office), sirens will sound and notifications on our social media as well as local media will be notified immediately,” the post said.
“Our first responders are well updated and have eyes on the situation and we will update you as soon as there are any changes. Please stay alert and away from any location there possibly could be a fire.”
CNN has reached out to the mayor for further information.
