Wildfire Risk Triggers Planned Power Shutoffs as Amarillo Faces High Winds
Amarillo, TX — February 17, 2026 — Wildfire danger, planned power shutoffs, a deadly crash, and a coming dinosaur show shape today’s Amarillo headlines.
Amarillo, TX — February 17, 2026 — The Texas Panhandle faces a volatile mix of high winds, wildfire danger, and safety shutoffs today, while local law enforcement investigates a deadly crash and families look ahead to a major dinosaur attraction returning this spring.
Wildfire risk prompts planned power shutoffs
Xcel Energy is moving forward with a Public Safety Power Shutoff affecting parts of the Texas Panhandle this morning, including Amarillo-area counties. The company says about 14,500 customers across multiple counties could lose electricity starting between 8 and 9 a.m. as critical wildfire conditions develop.
Forecasters expect strong winds, low humidity and extremely dry vegetation through at least Thursday. Xcel describes the shutoff as a last-resort step to prevent power lines from sparking new fires and warns that restoration work may take many hours while crews inspect equipment before re-energizing lines.
Residents who rely on powered medical devices are urged to have backup plans and fully charged batteries in place. The utility is directing customers to its outage map and alert tools for address-specific details and restoration updates.
Wildfire burning near Potter–Carson county line
Fire crews are also watching an active wildfire burning near the Potter and Carson County line northeast of Amarillo. Local responders report that the blaze has been pushed by gusty winds and dry fuels, conditions similar to those driving today’s shutoff decision.
Officials have not reported any major structure losses so far but are asking drivers to avoid affected rural roads so brush trucks and tankers can move freely. Residents in the path of smoke should be prepared for reduced visibility and worsening air quality as winds shift.
One person killed in north Amarillo crash
Amarillo police are investigating a deadly crash in the northern part of the city. According to early reports, a collision late Monday left one person dead and closed nearby lanes while investigators reconstructed the scene.
Officers say speed and roadway conditions are among the factors under review. Drivers in the area experienced delays overnight and into the early morning commute as crews cleared debris and documented evidence.
Jurassic Quest set to roar into Tri-State Fairgrounds
On a lighter note, families can circle late March on the calendar. The traveling dinosaur experience Jurassic Quest is scheduled to stop at the Tri-State Fairgrounds in Amarillo from March 20 to 22. The event will feature life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, fossil digs and interactive activities inside the Amarillo National Center.
Organizers say tickets are already on sale online, with multiple time slots planned across the three-day run. The show is part of a broader slate of year-round events at the fairgrounds ahead of the Tri-State Fair’s return this fall.
Staying prepared
With fire danger and high winds continuing this week, emergency managers are reminding residents to secure loose outdoor items, avoid activities that could spark fires, and keep emergency kits ready in case of extended outages.
Sources
- https://newsroom.xcelenergy.com/news/xcel-energy-public-safety-power-shutoff-in-texas-panhandle-tuesday-morning-starting-between-8-9-00-a-m
- https://www.newschannel10.com/2026/02/15/xcel-alerts-customers-potential-planned-outages-due-wildfire-risk/
- https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivAFBVV95cUxQS3IzbjFzSGZJY2lvTEZwRktjNGx0TUxEQ1YxSHltaHM5VUJjNFFDdU
- https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimAFBVV95cUxQUTNXRm9kaHYxY1VDMjVpaHR4VkNTRDVVcU9PMk9Yc0M0QWt
- https://www.jurassicquest.com/events/THDC6J
- https://www.tristatefair.com/p/fair
