Amarillo, Texas – Powerful winds and critically dry air could create explosive wildfire conditions across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles on Sunday, placing dozens of counties under a Fire Weather Watch through the evening hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Amarillo, north winds will strengthen to 35 to 45 mph with gusts reaching 65 mph Sunday morning through Sunday evening across the entire Panhandle region. Relative humidity could drop to around 13 percent, creating an environment where even a small spark could quickly ignite dry grass and spread across open land.
The threat stretches from Cimarron County in Oklahoma through Dallam, Potter, Carson, Gray, Wheeler, and Collingsworth counties in Texas, including the cities of Amarillo, Dalhart, Pampa, Borger, and Canadian. Dry fuels across ranchland and open plains mean fires could move rapidly across large areas if ignition occurs.
Farther south, the South Plains and Rolling Plains, including Lubbock, Plainview, Childress, and Brownfield, are also under a Fire Weather Watch beginning 7 a.m. Sunday through 9 p.m. Sunday. Northwest winds there could reach 30 to 50 mph with gusts up to 60 mph, while humidity drops near 10 percent.
Emergency officials strongly discourage outdoor burning, welding, or any activity that could produce sparks. Drivers should also avoid parking vehicles on dry grass, as hot exhaust systems can ignite vegetation.
Fire agencies across the region remain on heightened alert as the strongest winds arrive Sunday afternoon, and additional Red Flag Warnings could be issued if conditions intensify.
