Tragic Loss in Texas Wildfires: Remembering Victims Cindy Owen and Joyce Blankenship

TFD – The Texas Panhandle reels from devastating wildfires claiming lives and destroying homes. Amidst the chaos, we mourn the loss of Cindy Owen and Joyce Blankenship, whose lives were tragically taken by the unforgiving flames.

(CNN)— At least two individuals have lost their lives in the devastating wildfires tearing through the Texas Panhandle. More homes, animals, and livelihoods are in danger as the largest fire in state history consumes more area every minute.

As of right now, the Smokehouse Creek Fire is the biggest fire in Texas history, having burned over a million acres in Texas alone. As of Thursday night, the conflagration had scorched over 31,500 acres in Oklahoma, according to the forestry department of that state. When accurate records started to be kept in the 1980s, this fire ranks among the biggest in the Lower 48 overall.

The conflagration is one of three uncontrollably raging wildfire in the Texas Panhandle.

Even if there was only a little precipitation in the area on Thursday, fierce winds and dry air are predicted to return on Friday and into the weekend, which will probably fan the flames.

Almost 2,000 square miles, or nearly the whole area of Delaware, have already been charred by the wildfires.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire has claimed the lives of two persons. Chris Ray, a Sergeant with the Texas Department of Public Safety, told CNN that Cindy Owen was discovered dead in Hemphill County.

Joyce Blankenship, 83, died in the Hutchinson County fire, according to her relatives.

Nathan Blankenship, her grandson, stated that “the house was gone.” “She could not have escaped in any way.”

most recent advancements

• North Plains Electric Cooperative stated that it has “approximately 115 miles of line to rebuild,” making power outages a serious problem.

• Hemphill County AgriLife Extension agent Andy Holloway stated that 400,000 acres have burnt, numerous homes have been destroyed, and thousands of animals have perished in Hemphill County alone. Agricultural officials claim that the Panhandle raises more than 85% of Texas’s cattle.

• The Windy Deuce Fire in Texas, which has burned 142,000 acres and is 50% contained as of early Thursday afternoon, is in addition to the massive Smokehouse Creek Fire.

• A spokesman with Oklahoma Forestry Services, Keith Merckx, told CNN on Thursday night that 40% of the Smokehouse Creek Fire had been contained in Oklahoma.

• The Grape Vine Creek Fire has charred 30,000 acres and is 60% contained.

• The Magenta Fire, which is 65% contained and has scorched 2,500 acres, is still raging.

• The 687 Reamer Fire burned more than 2,000 acres before merging into the Smokehouse Creek Fire Thursday.

• In addition to pledging to assist people impacted by the wildfires on Thursday, President Joe Biden used his speech to criticize his “Neanderthal friends” who reject the existence of climate change.

• Governor Greg Abbott of Texas approved the use of 33 fire engines, six air tankers, and 94 fire fighters in addition to other state resources to combat the fires.

• A ranch with a 120-year history says about 80% of its nearly 80,000 acres have burned. The Turkey Track Ranch, nicknamed the Prize of the Panhandle, is also the site of Battles of Adobe Walls of 1864 and 1874. “The loss of livestock, crops and wildlife, … as well as other ranches and homes across the region is, we believe, unparalleled in our history,” the Turkey Track Ranch Family Group said in a statement.

• A press release from Texas Parks & Wildlife states that the Smokehouse Creek Fire has taken over about 98% of the 5,394 acres of the Gene Howe Wildlife Management Area, which is situated along the Canadian River in the Northern Rolling Plains of Hemphill County.

• A state emergency spokeswoman informed CNN that at least 13 homes in Oklahoma have been completely destroyed. Emergency reaction teams have been activated by Governor Kevin Stitt. “The safety of our fellow Oklahomans is our top priority as we closely monitor wildfires throughout the state,” he wrote on X.

• Pampa Community Services Director Dustin Miller told CNN on Thursday that two firemen from the Texas Panhandle city of Pampa, in Gray County, were treated for minor wounds they received while battling the fires on Monday night.

• Hutchinson County declared that while the city of Fritch, Texas, is under a boil water alert, it is “hard to do since many residents are without electricity and/or gas.” According to officials, water bottles are being distributed at a number of churches and other places.

• According to a press statement from the financial institution, Amarillo National Bank is launching a Panhandle Disaster Relief Fund for victims of wildfires with a $1 million grant.

An “epic wall of fire”

Tuesday’s abrupt change in the wind direction caused the Smokehouse Creek Fire to become much larger. It’s still just 3% contained in Texas as of this Thursday.

According to Texas A&M Forest Service spokesman Adam Turner, “wind was coming straight out of the north and made just this massive wall of fire moving across the landscape” on Wednesday.

Frank Probst, whose hamlet of Fritch was under siege from multiple wildfires, evacuated himself almost immediately after ensuring that his elderly neighbors could go.

Our top priority was to remove them first. We were the final people to leave,” Probst said to CNN.

Before escaping the terrible fire, his family was unable to seize any things.

“It went by so quickly. It was too late by the time the evacuation sirens sounded, he claimed. “We just got into the car and drove away.”

As she went back for the dogs, woman saw neighbors’ houses on fire

Tyler McCain reported that his family traveled to his grandparents’ house across town after waking up to smoky skies over Fritch on Tuesday. McCain’s wife went back to retrieve their two dogs from the family home when it became apparent that the fires were becoming worse.

When she got to her block, she noticed that two of her neighbors’ houses were on fire. After she got the animals back, the family spent the night in Amarillo.

The parents and their three daughters came back to a heap of ash and debris on Wednesday.

An emotional McCain said to CNN that he has been broken by witnessing his 3-year-old daughter Addison cry over their home. “Things can be changed, but it hurts to watch your children torn from their lives in that way,” he remarked.

Addison’s inquiries about losing her house are endless. “Now that she’s talking about everything we’ve lost, Daddy, are you going to build me a new house?”

McCain said he should have taken more items before they had to leave. “With everything she requests, I question why I didn’t get it. He remarked, “Why didn’t I get her her favorite stuffed animal?”

At least 20 buildings in Stinnett, some outside of Borger city, and “quite a few structures” in Fritch were destroyed in Hutchinson County, which is home to the Smokehouse Creek, Windy Deuce, and 687 Reamer fires, a county spokesman said on Wednesday.

The Fritch resident Probst, who aided his neighbors before escaping, revealed on Wednesday that he was back in his community. Just six months after he bought it, his home is gone, along with entire communities he passed through on his route to Amarillo, where he and his family will remain while they decide what to do next.

“One of a kind” wildfire victim, according to sister-in-law

Truck driver Cindy Owen, 44, was working about 50 miles north of Pampa, Texas, on Tuesday when the Smokehouse Creek Fire swept through the area, her sister-in-law told CNN.

Jennifer Mitchell, the brother of Owen, stated, “She basically couldn’t breathe and she evacuated the truck and tried to run for safety and didn’t make it.”

According to Mitchell, family members rushed to locate someone to assist Owen because she was on a video conference at the time.

Mitchell stated, “She was found with burns covering about 90% of her body.”

Owen was found by Hemphill County rescuers, who then transported her to the INTEGRIS Burn Center in Oklahoma City for medical attention, according to Mitchell. The hospital was contacted by CNN for comment, but they did not respond.

“She fought Wednesday the entire day. Even though she was drugged and on a ventilator, she could hear us at the end of the day, and we were incredibly optimistic, Mitchell recalled. “However, she persevered until the very end… and that was her nature.”

Her sister-in-law passed away during the evening.

Mitchell explained that she had known Owen for sixteen years, ever when she and her husband started dating.

“Cindy remained Cindy.” She was unique, according to Mitchell. “She would go above and beyond for anyone.”

She would pull over and give people coats when it was cold, give food, money or clothes to homeless people and would help stray dogs, according to Mitchell. She was dedicated to Owen’s enormous family as well.

Mitchell remarked, “She showed up to everybody’s kids’ stuff and birthday parties.” “She was well-known and a friend to all.” .. Nothing negative can be said about her. The greatest person ever was her.

Mitchell stated that Elaine Sanchez, Owen’s fiancée, survives her.