Potter County Fire-Rescue

🚫 Burn Ban in effect for Potter County (April 13 – July 12). No outdoor burning. Stay safe.

Here is some information about wildfire danger in Potter County. Remember to keep defensible space around your home and avoid all spark generating activities.

Valle de Oro residents impacted by the Lavender Fire can contact the Fire Marshal at 806-242-4303 or [email protected].

Yesterday, crews responded to the Old Mill fire and were able to quickly contain it. Several structures were threatened, but thankfully none were damaged.

We appreciate the continued support. Here are a few photos from the scene.

GREAT JOB POTTER COUNTY! No fire calls in Potter County yesterday despite monstrous winds, humidity in the single digits and very high fuel loads. The wind looks too be relenting a bit this week which is a great opportunity to make defensible space around your property.

Update 6:40pm RM1061 is open for traffic. Please be cautious as there are still fire trucks and personnel in the area.

Update 5:45am RM1061 is closed from Highway 385 to RM2381. Evacuations are recommended for anyone in the smoke column. This may include parts of Oldham County.

March 11 5am
EVACUATION NOTICE, VALLE DE ORO

Winds have shifted and the "yellow fire" which started between Channing and Dumas is now headed for the Valle de Oro area.
RM 1061 is likely to be closed soon.

Voluntary evacuations are underway on Ady, Chuck wagon, Trail End, Pond, Broken Spur and parts of RM 1061. Anyone in the smoke column. now should evacuate right now.

Here's a reminder from Sparky to check your smoke alarms and change the batteries in them when you reset your clocks for the time change tonight.

Please look at this map. The red spot is partially in Northwest Potter County. Humidity, temperature and fuel loads along with high winds are combining to make Potter County one of the most dangerous places for a wildfire today in the whole state. The recent rains have bypassed this area. Please be very careful with anything that generates heat or sparks today. Check chains on trailers, be sure to stop immediately with low tires, dispose of smoking materials properly, and do not weld, cut or grind outdoors today. And, as always, if a fire starts or you see smoke, call 911 immediately. A fire can double in size every minute that it is not being actively engaged.

While we continue monitoring severe storm risks— check out the fire danger.

Dry vegetation and strong winds increase the potential for wildfire ignition and spread.

Avoid burning, secure trailer chains, and stay aware of local conditions.

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Final update 9:16pm "blow out" fire is 100% contained.

Update 8:43pm RM2381 is open for traffic again.

Update 7:20pm containment is 90% acreage is 147.4.

Update 6:26pm containment is up to 60% and acreage is about 110.

Update 5:38pm forward progress has been stopped and containment is 40%. It has consumed about 50 acres so far.

PCFR is working an active wildfire east of RM2381 in Potter County. It is headed north to northeast at this time towards RM1061. Residents in the Bishop Estates, Bishop Ranches and Bishop Hills areas are advised to be ready to evacuate if necessary. RM2381 is closed from RM1061 to legacy ranches. Please avoid the area to let us work and avoid travel on RM1061 as visibility may be impacted.
Texas A&M Forest Service and TIFMAS Strike team 127 and actively engaging the fire. 2 single engine air tankers are also working so all drones are prohibited in the area.

The Lavender Fire showed just how strong our region is when we come together. We couldn’t have done it alone.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to:

Amarillo Fire Department,
Randall County Fire Department,
Borger Fire Department,
Canyon Fire Department,
Pantex Fire Department,
Vega, TX Fire & Rescue,
The Groom Volunteer Fire Department ,
Skellytown Fire Department,
Lake Tanglewood Fire Department,
Boys Ranch Fire and Rescue,
along with Texas A&M Forest Service, TIFMAS Resources, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Potter County Sheriff Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Game Wardens, Texas Department of Transportation, and the Amarillo Area Office of Emergency Management.

Your support, manpower, equipment, and teamwork helped protect lives and property during this incident. The coordination and dedication displayed on the fireline and behind the scenes truly demonstrate the strength of mutual aid in the Texas Panhandle.

If we inadvertently missed any assisting departments or agencies, please know your efforts were equally valued and deeply appreciated. Thank you to everyone who answered the call.

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