The second-largest wildfire in Texas history rages across the Panhandle

The second-largest wildfire in Texas history rages across the Panhandle

Richard Murray, a mechanic, mourned the loss of his 50 Year-old home and workshop in Canadian, Texas, as he surveyed the charred remains.A sheriff's deputy urged Murray and his wife Gilissa to evacuate due to the state's second-largest wildfire approaching their home.

Murray, 72, reported that the house is gone and all cars have melted, leaving nothing left.

The Texas A&M Forest Service reported that a wildfire northeast of Amarillo has engulfed 500,000 acres, extending eastward across the Oklahoma border.

The Forest Service reported no injuries or deaths, but an unspecified number of structures were damaged and destroyed.

Terrill Bartlett, Canadian mayor, expressed relief that there were no serious injuries or fatalities in the town, but the loss of homes was devastating.

On Wednesday, he stated that our community is one that unites and supports each other.

Murray and his wife are currently staying with friends and have received numerous calls for help. They are currently searching for their dogs and two cats.

He expressed that the hardest aspect is not knowing what happened to them.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster in 60 counties and instructed the Division of Emergency Management to activate over 95 firefighters, close roads, control traffic, provide medical aid, and support livestock.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Forest Service are providing assistance to Texas, with federal authorities closely collaborating with officials on the front lines of the fires.

Fires have erupted near the Pantex plant, the US Department of Energy's primary nuclear weapons facility, near Amarillo. Authorities have halted operations, evacuated personnel, and constructed a fire barrier to protect the site.

The plant was declared open for normal day shift operations on Wednesday.

Power outages have affected over 13,000 Texas homes and businesses, with over 4,000 in the Panhandle region alone, according to PowerOutage.us data.

Julene Castillo, a Canadian resident, attempted to flee but was forced back due to thick smoke making it difficult to drive through.

Castillo, 51, recounted the intense fire that consumed his eyes and throat, even with windows rolled up, causing him to be unable to escape.

Castillo, a secretary for Canadian Methodist Church, and around 100 other families visited a high school in the town, where they prayed, cried, and tried to comfort each other.

A volunteer firefighter reported that 50 homes in Canadian alone were destroyed, leaving residents uncertain about the future, as they could see the fire's glow as the sun set.

Castillo found her home had survived and sheltered in place. She opened her church on Wednesday for those in need of a place to stay or pray.