Wheeler, Texas Wildfire

Large wildfires were reported over the weekend. The closest to us was at
Wheeler, Texas (called the Magic City Fire TX-TXS-990075) which burned about
15,000 acres since Saturday.

8 Homes and 26 outbuildings burned, and an unknown number of cattle
have died. 2 firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation.

Communications was hampered by the power outages in the area. Landlines
and Cellular phones were not working. Radio communications and Satellite was
about the only way to pass a message.

Texas Forest Service advised that over 40 Fire Departments had responded to the
Fire by Saturday evening. Air support was unavailable until late in the evening due to
the winds. 2 large air tankers and 2 SEATs were able to assist late in the evening.

The Nursing Home and Hospital were evacuated to Shamrock, Canadian, and Elk City.
Residents were asked to evacuate to Elk City as Well. I talked to Patty at
Western Oklahoma Capter late in the evening and she advised that 80 people
had signed into the shelter at Elk City and the Baptist Church was preparing
meals.

The evacuation order was lifted Saturday evening and residents were allowed to return
home. Texas Forest Service also advised that the Highways in the area had been reopened.
With the evacuation order lifted, everyone left, and Patty was able to close shelter operations.

On Sunday, the fire continued to burn, but electric crews were able to restore power
to the town of Wheeler around 1:30 PM. No new loss of structures or injuries reported.

As of about 10 PM Sunday night, the fire continued to burn.