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By Hannah Parry
Associate News Editor
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An entire Texas town has been evacuated due to multiple wildfires erupting across the northern region of the state.
Multiple volunteer fire departments are working to battle the blazes in Gray County, east of Amarillo, on Friday.
Why It Matters
The U.S. Drought Monitor has warned that much of Texas is currently suffering from drought conditions, with 8.65 percent of the state in extreme drought, 19.81 percent in exceptional drought, 13.49 percent in severe drought, 20.77 percent in moderate drought and 26.72 percent abnormally dry.
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The National Weather Service has also issued a red flag warning for much of the state on Friday, which means that a combination of low humidity, warm temperatures and strong winds in the area has formed critical fire weather conditions. The red flag warning for Amarillo will remain in place until 7 p.m. CDT.
A high wind warning is also in place, meaning that existing fires may be spread much faster.
What to know
At least 1,000 acres have already been engulfed by the fires, which have been 0 percent contained, as today's strong winds of 35 to 50 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph, fan the flames of several grass fires throughout the Panhandle.
Alanreed, a small town just over 60 miles east of Amarillo, has been entirely evacuated.
However, officials told Newsweek that reports that the town had been burned down were exaggerated.
"There was speculation the entire town had burned to the ground. That was inaccurate," a spokesperson for the Gray County Emergency Management Coordinator.
The spokesperson added that they had shut down part of the I-40 amid the wildfires and the "crazy winds" that have toppled two semi trucks.
What people are saying
The National Weather Service said in an alert, "A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly... Avoid activities that promote open flames and sparks."
Texas A&M Forest Service incident information service posted on X, "Texas A&M Forest Service is responding to a request for assistance in Gray County on the #RestAreaFire. The fire is an estimated 1,000 acres and 0% contained. The community of Alanreed is under a mandatory evacuation at this time. #txfire"
What Happens Next
Multiple fire crews are currently battling to subdue the fires in the Gray County region.
Wildfire season peaks in the fall, between October and November, and the spring, between March and May, when dry conditions, warming temperatures and increased winds after winter make wildfires more likely.
Update 03/14/25 3:42 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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