The death toll from wildfires that struck the Texas Panhandle has risen to 11, with two missing. The fires also have killed countless livestock, as recounted by this heartbreaking article from the Amarillo Globe-News (free registration required).
Davie Gipson, one of the volunteers at the Devils Rope Museum in McLean, told me on the phone Tuesday morning that the museum was open for regular hours despite “a lot of smoke all over the place” and a wildfire still raging south of town.
Delbert and Ruth Trew, who are Route 66 aficionados and volunteer at the museum, have a ranch in the fire line near McLean. I tried to call the Trews, but was unsuccessful. Gipson, however, told me the fires destroyed the Trews’ art gallery and woodshop, but their home survived.
“If they hadn’t stayed and fought the fire, they would have lost everything,” Gipson said. “They were real lucky.”
Becky Ransom of the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo told me the Trews had no electricity and “sounded tired” from fighting the fires. There’s no word on whether Bull Canyon, a mini-town built by the Trews for family reunions and other events, survived the infernos, she said.
Gipson told me that area ranchers were forced to put down cattle and horses that were badly burned in the wildfires.
“That’s bad when the guys have to shoot one of their own horses,” Gipson said. “It’s like shooting one of your own family.”
Gipson said the historic Super 66 Texas gas station near Alanreed was untouched by fire, as was the Big Cross near Groom. However, winds are expected to pick up again Wednesday, increasing the fire danger yet again.
“I’ve been here 75 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” Gipson said.