OLDHAM COUNTY, Texas (KVII) — Two wildfires were burning northwest of Amarillo on Saturday as drought conditions continue across the Texas Panhandle.
The larger of the two, the Canadian River Fire in Oldham County, had burned about 330 acres and was 55% contained as of 9:07 p.m., according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
It is not far from where the Round Up Fire burned 583-acres on Friday and Saturday.
In neighboring Potter County, the Bad Land Fire remained active at 4 acres and was 95% contained, 8:18 p.m..
A map shows the locations of the Canadian River Fire in Oldham County and the Bad Land Fire in Potter County northwest of Amarillo, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. Both fires were active Saturday, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. (Credit: Texas A&M Forest Service/ChatGPT)
Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch evacuated its residential campus Saturday because of nearby fire activity, although officials said there was no immediate threat to the campus. The organization said the move was made as a precaution to protect youth and staff.
The evacuation was lifted around 7:35 p.m. Saturday and residents and staff were given the all clear to return to campus.
Youth and accompanying staff members were taken to the Oldham County Community Center in Vega when evacuation orders were in place.
“Conditions in wildfire season can change rapidly, and our priority is always safety,” Richard Nedelkof, president and CEO of Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, said in a statement.
Boys Ranch has faced wildfire threats before. The campus prepared for possible evacuations following the Windy Deuce Fire in March 2024 and conducted an evacuation planning exercise in February 2026. The Magenta Fire later prompted an overnight evacuation of the campus.
The fires are burning amid significant drought and rainfall deficits across the western Texas Panhandle. According to Drought.gov, Potter County recorded its fifth-driest January-through-June period on record. Precipitation during that was 4.88 inches below normal.
The U.S. Drought Monitor also has documented worsening drought across parts of the Panhandle, where year-to-date precipitation deficits have ranged from about 3 inches to more than 8 inches in some locations.
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No information was immediately available on injuries, structure damage or evacuations connected to either fire.
The Texas A&M Forest Service continues to track both incidents as crews work to increase containment.