Wildfire in south Levelland Wildfire in south Levelland caused the mayor to issue an emergency evacuation of the area April 12th.
In March, state and local resources responded to 726 wildfires that burned 164,257 acres across the state. From March 21 through March 28, fire resources responded to 121 wildfires that burned 35, 728 acres including the Crittenberg Complex in Coreyell County, the Eastland Complex in Eastland County, the Das Goat Fire in Medina County and the Ramsey Fire in Brown County, according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
On April 12th, the south side of Levelland was issued an order of evacuation after a grass fire broke out near highway 385 north of the airport. Minimal damage was reported. By 4 p.m. fire progression had stopped. Roads reopened at 5 p.m.
At 6:39 p.m. that same evening, a fire was reported at Premier Park Equestrian Center in Lubbock. One home and a barn were lost all horses and people were safely evacuated.
More than 40% of the state is in an extreme drought. The fire in Eastland County was unusually intense due to a weather phenomenon known as a Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak (SPWO). SWPOs are characterized by dry vegetation, dry westsouthwest winds, low humidity, above average temperatures and sunny skies.
Dawson County and several others in the immediate area are now included in a wildfire disaster declaration, which Gov. Greg Abbott originally issues last month.
Andrews, Borden, Dawson, Gaines, Howard, and Martin Counties were among 56 counties added on April 1 to a disaster proclamation originally issued by Abbott on March 18. The original proclamation, issued following the disastrous wildfires that hit the Eastland area, covered only 11 counties but additional counties have been added several times. The declaration now lists 67 counties scattered across various parts of the state.
Use caution when operating equipment and machinery and stay safe!