Note: The video above reflects top headlines from morning of February 28, 2024.
LUBBOCK, Texas— Lubbock residents were abruptly hit Tuesday night by the strong smell of smoke from the Texas Panhandle wildfires, which prompted worries all over Lubbock and the South Plains. Wednesday morning, a smoky haze caused a slight decrease in visibility and continued smoke odor across the city.
The National Weather Services posted Tuesday night on social media that City of Lubbock residents “should expect smoke associated with the cold front to impact the area.”
The Lubbock Fire Rescue said due to the shift in winds and a cold front entering the City of Lubbock, the smoke from fires near Amarillo invaded Lubbock. First responders were also made aware the smoke entering the city had caused “slight increase” in Lubbock 911 calls throughout the night.
This warning comes after the major wildfires blazing throughout the Texas Panhandle that began Monday evening and was carried over early Wednesday morning.
As of Wednesday morning, the NWS said the low air quality will remain poor in the Lubbock area as smoke continues to “track southward from the Texas Panhandle.” However, according to LFR, based on forecasts at this time the smoke will leave the Lubbock area later Wednesday.
In the meantime, the NWS suggested that you protect yourself and pets as the smoke passes through Lubbock.
NWS said to keep windows closed, keep pets indoors and if you go outside to “avoid exertion and consider wearing a respirator.”
Previous coverage from EverythingLubbock.com reported, LFR and other first responders from Lubbock were deployed to assist the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County on Tuesday. LFR claimed the fire “passed as the fifth largest wildfire in Texas” and caused early dismissals, road closures and evacuations.
According to LFR, crews were sent as part of the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System and remained at the Smokehouse Creek Fire with departments across the state as of Wednesday morning.
Additionally, the officials with the Texas A&M Forest Service reported at 7:20 a.m. on Wednesday the fire in Hutchinson County burned 500,000 acres and was 0% contained.
According to LFR, Lubbock “no longer [meets] the threshold of being under ‘fire weather.’” However, LFR said based on forecasts it “looks like we will be returning to ‘fire weather’ on Saturday.”
Since the forecast stated that fire weather will return to Lubbock, LFR has suggestions to be proactive and prevent fires from happening.
It was advised to properly discard cigarettes, not park your vehicle on dry grass and have a nearby water source if you live in a city that allows burning.
If you see or have a fire make sure to call 911 immediately. Getting fire crews to respond early will be the only way these fires can be properly contained and extinguished, LFR emphasized.
LFR expressed its gratitude to all the men and women on the frontlines trying to extinguish the blaze and get ahead of the rapidly moving fire.
“Shoutout for their commitment and dedication to public service,” said Lubbock firefighters.
