Wildfire — Ochiltree, Texas

2017-03-06 to 2017-03-09 · Ochiltree, Texas

Wider weather episode

The Perryton Wildfire began around 1450CST about thirteen miles southwest of Wolf Creek Park in Ochiltree County. The wildfire was caused by downed power lines or sparks from a transformer and the wildfire consumed three hundred and eighteen thousand and fifty six acres. There was a report that this wildfire spread east across southern Lipscomb and northern Hemphill counties. The Perryton wildfire has been determined to be the third largest wildfire in the history of the Texas A&M Forest Service. The wildfire threatened homes north of Canadian and residents were urged to evacuate at a moment's notice. The town of Higgins was also threatened briefly. There were two hundred homes and one hundred other structures threatened but saved, however four homes and one hundred other structures were destroyed by the wildfire. There was one report of a fatality and two injuries along with many heads of cattle lost. There were approximately one hundred near misses reported. The wildfire was contained around 1500CST on March 9. There were approximately four thousand livestock killed in the Texas Panhandle on March 6 from all of the wildfires and total damages were estimated to be in the neighborhood of 25.1 million dollars.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 687307. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.