There's no fire in El Paso, but smoke from Texas Panhandle wildfires is reducing visibility
Visibility levels in El Paso have plummeted to 4 miles due to thick smoke originating from wildfires in the Texas Panhandle vicinity, the National Weather Service reported.
The National Weather Service confirmed the cold front that entered the El Paso region overnight pushed smoke from the Texas Panhandle wildfires into the area.
The El Paso Office of Emergency Management received multiple reports concerning the smell of smoke across East El Paso County, Texas Department of Transporation posted on X, formerly Twitter.
The National Weather Service recommends staying indoors as much as possible.
The @NWSElPaso has confirmed that the cold front that entered our region overnight pushed the smoke from the wildfires that are occurring in the Texas Panhandle into our area.
Visibility in certain areas is reduced to 4 miles.
Try to stay indoors as much as possible. pic.twitter.com/6aXP4sx10R— El Paso Office of Emergency Management (@ElPasoOEM) February 28, 2024
A cluster of wildfires scorched the Texas Panhandle on Wednesday, including a blaze that grew into one of the largest in state history.
Authorities warned that the damage to communities on the high plains could be extensive.
The largest fire expanded to nearly 800 square miles (2,072 square kilometers). It jumped into parts of neighboring Oklahoma and was completely uncontained as dawn broke.
No deaths or injuries had been reported as of Wednesday morning.
Gov. Greg Abbott issues disaster declaration
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a Wildfire Disaster Declaration for 60 counties. The encroaching flames caused the main facility that disassembles America’s nuclear arsenal to pause operations Tuesday night, but it was open for normal work on Wednesday.
The Pantex plant, northeast of Amarillo, evacuated nonessential staff as the blaze grew into the second largest in state history.
Issuing a disaster declaration for 60 counties to ensure critical resources are swiftly deployed to communities impacted by wildfires.
Texans are urged to limit activities that could create sparks & take precautions to keep their loved ones safe.
More: https://t.co/5iaeNwCPw0 pic.twitter.com/O8GGYeQo7o— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) February 27, 2024
What is Pantex?
Pantex is one of six production facilities in the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Nuclear Security Enterprise. The plant has been the main U.S. site for assembling and disassembling atomic bombs since 1975. It produced its last new bomb in 1991, and has dismantled thousands of weapons retired from military stockpiles.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Fire in El Paso: Smoke from wildfires reduces visibility on East Side
