Texas Panhandle wildfire leads to evacuations

FRITCH, TX -- A wildfire in the Texas Panhandle has led to evacuations and road closures but nobody is hurt in the blaze that's destroyed dozens of homes.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says the fire burned Monday near Fritch, a town of about 2,100 located 30 miles northeast of Amarillo.

Sr. Trooper Chris Ray says Highway 136 through Fritch was closed overnight due to blowing dust, smoke and soot.

Hutchinson County emergency management officials say about 75 homes have been destroyed in the fire that broke out Sunday afternoon. Coordinator Danny Richards says several hundred people have been evacuated. Some residents stayed at a school gymnasium.

The National Weather Service says conditions early Monday in the Amarillo area included temperatures in the 40s and winds gusting to nearly 30 mph.