Amarillo Burns: Aerial Footage Captures Wildfire’s Destruction

A Reddit user who goes by the handle vmlinux took to the skies in his powered paraglider to get a bird's eye view of the damage left by grassfires that swept through the plains north of Amarillo last week. With thousands of acres burned and evacuations in place, the fires had threatened communities in the county and posed a risk to fire personnel and apparatuses in the area.

Birds eye view of the damage from the crossbar prairie fire north of Bishop Hills Amarillo.
by u/vmlinux in amarillo

vmlinux shared this breathtaking aerial video on Reddit, showcasing the charred landscape and the extent of the devastation caused by the grassfires. The video revealed the vast expanses of scorched earth, with patches of blackened grasslands stretching as far as the eye could see. The aftermath of the fires was evident, with minimal smoke observed from vegetation burning well-inside containment lines.

The grassfires were fueled by high winds and dry conditions, and local emergency services have emphasized the urgent need for rain in the area. Amarillo and surrounding fire departments have urged those in the community to be mindful of the ongoing firefighting efforts and to exercise caution in their daily activities to prevent any accidental sparks that could ignite another fire.

The videos shared by vmlinux on Reddit, although amazing serve as a stark reminder of the destructive power of wildfires in the Panhandle and the importance of staying vigilant and taking necessary precautions to prevent their occurrence. As the officials in region continue to work towards rehabilitating the area after these destructive blazes, the aerial perspective provided by vmlinux and their powered paraglider flight offered a unique and sobering view of the aftermath of the grassfires that swept through the plains north of Amarillo.