The city of Pampa said late Tuesday it was “suggesting” a voluntary evacuation due to the threat of wildfires spreading rapidly.
Pampa is approximately 50 miles northeast of Amarillo and 40 miles southwest of Canadian, where residents have been urged to shelter in place. Several fires are raging nearby, including the Grape Vine Creek Fire and the massive Smokehouse Creek Fire, which had burned at least 250,000 acres by Tuesday night.
“We now suggest a voluntary evacuation for the City of Pampa. Go south on 70 to i40 and go to the Amarillo or Clarendon area,” the city said in a Facebook post.
The Grape Vine Creek Fire is burning in Gray County, where Pampa is, and has already burned 30,000 acres. It was 20% contained as of 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, deputies 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 night.
“IF it comes time to evacuate the city, a mass text message will be sent (everyone will receive the text message even if they have not signed up to receive it, according to the Gray County Office of Emergency Management), sirens will sound and will issue notifications. Our social networks and local media will be notified immediately,” the post said.
“Our first responders are well up to date and have their eyes on the situation and we will inform you as soon as there are any changes. Stay alert and stay away from any place where there may be a fire.”
CNN has reached out to the mayor for more information.
