400 to 500 structures have been destroyed. The Texas A&M Forest Service said it was only 5% contained earlier Friday. Still, a long way to go in putting it out and a long road of recovery ahead. NBC 5’s Vince Sims takes a look at how north Texans are helping in the fight.
Officials say the largest wildfire in Texas history did not grow overnight and is 5% contained.
The Texas A&M Forest Service said early Friday that some rain and snow have helped with firefighting efforts in the Texas Panhandle, but the National Weather Service says conditions favorable for wildfires are expected to extend through the weekend in some areas.
The fires have killed two people and left behind a landscape of scorched prairie, dead cattle and burned-out homes in the Texas Panhandle.
"Of course, it just looks like natural devastation," Dallas Fire-Rescue Captain Brandon Terry said. "A lot of structures have been destroyed. but of course, a lot of the metro land had been destroyed, the vegetation."
Get top local stories in DFW delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC DFW's News Headlines newsletter.
He is one of about 12 firefighters from Dallas helping in the panhandle area. Several other North Texas fire departments have sent crews too.
"A lot of our members are exhausted doing a lot of work but you know, they're keeping the heads up," Terry said. "They're staying hydrated and taking care of their health and their mental health so we can continue to support these communities that we're going through right now to help these people."
Texas Wildfires
Other help will be needed in the way of financial donations for people impacted.
"The Amarillo Area Foundation is a community foundation that covers the 26 counties at the top of the Texas panhandle," Amarillo Area Foundation President and CEO Clay Stribling said.
They are one of many organizations collecting money for disaster relief.
"Your local food pantries, your local first responders, the fire departments, they're the ones doing the work," Stribling said. "What we're trying to do is collect resources and support them financially as we can."
Stribling added they appreciate everything coming in now and remind people the need will continue for some time.
"We know the outpouring is going to be enormous upfront, but we want to make sure that we have funds that are available for those needs in one-month, three-month, six-month increments as well," Stribling said.
Many North Texans seeing the images of utter devastation are wondering how they can help. We've compiled a list of state organizations and other organizations helping those most affected:
TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is setting up Animal Supply Points in several locations to accept donations of hay, feed, fencing supplies, cow feed and milk replacer to support livestock owners impacted. A special 2024 Panhandle Wildfire Relief website helps with resources.
TEXAS FARM BUREAU
In an effort to help farmers and ranchers who have been affected by this event, the Texas Farm Bureau developed the Texas Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund. This program will collect and distribute monetary contributions only. Your tax-deductible credit card donation can be made through the donation button on the Texas Farm Bureau website.
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The Texas Department of Agriculture has set up a Hay Hotline to help with donations of hay as well as the STAR Fund which will help Texas farmers and ranchers recover from the disaster.
TEXAS & SOUTHWESTERN CATTLE RAISERS ASSOCIATION
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association based in Fort Worth is providing financial assistance to ranchers in Texas and Oklahoma affected by natural disasters. You can donate through a Pay Pal link on the TSCRA website.
AMARILLO AREA FOUNDATION
The Amarillo Area Foundation set up a Panhandle Disaster Relief Fund, which supports residents who have lost homes, businesses, vehicles, livestock, grazing land and fencing.
TEXAS BAPTIST MEN
The Texas Baptist Men have mobilized sending volunteers and pallets of bottled water to the panhandle. The TBM mobile command center is going as well as the shower/laundry units. To support the TBM you can donate via their website.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 have teamed up with the Red Cross, which is providing crucial assistance to residents affected by the Panhandle wildfires. Monetary donations help the Red Cross respond to whatever needs arise. You can help people affected by wildfires and countless other crises by donating a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.
OTHER DONATIONS
GoFundMe has set up a Texas Wildfire Relief Hub with all verified fundraisers related to the wildfires in the panhandle. As of this writing, there are more than 30 fundraisers to support people who lost everything in the fires from Fritch to Borger. GoFundMe says its Trust & Safety team works to review fundraisers and prevent misuse of funds.
The Rancher Navy has a list of needed supplies like leather gloves, towels, cooling neck wraps and hydration packets for those fighting the fires, as wella s supplies for pets and livestock. Senior Insurance Brokers in Fort Worth is hosting a donation drive through March 15.
Texas Wildfires
HOW TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP
The Texas Panhandle Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is helping coordinate volunteering in the area. You can fill out their volunteer interest form, email info@txpanhandlevoad.org, or call 806-378-3004.
Get top local stories in DFW delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC DFW's News Headlines newsletter.
