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A cluster of wildfires that began on Monday in the Texas Panhandle forced thousands to flee their homes, while also making travel difficult for truckers and motorists.

Texas authorities temporarily closed Highway 136 between the Borger and Amarillo Tuesday, but the roadway was reopened Wednesday.

Interstate 40 near Amarillo remains open, but authorities have urged motorists to avoid traveling through the roadway due to excessive smoke, as well as allowing emergency responders the space to work on controlling the fire.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire that started near the Texas town of Canadian on Monday is already one of the largest fires in state history, engulfing over 850,000 acres. The fire around Canadian was only 3% contained as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Texas A&M Forest Service said on Wednesday that the Smokehouse Creek Fire is part of an outbreak of about 15 wildfires in Texas. As of Wednesday afternoon, five of the wildfires, including Smokehouse Creek, were still active.

“Texas A&M Forest Service responded to 8 new requests for assistance from wildfires burning 4,044 acres across the state,” the agency said.

Officials have not determined what started the giant blaze. On Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 Texas counties.
closures were also reported by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol on Tuesday due to wildfires, including U.S.Route 283 and County Road 37 to State Highway 15. The road has since reopened.

•International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 14 — 16, 2024. Roadcheck is a compliance, enforcement and educational initiative that is described as the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world.
•Operation Safe Driver Week is scheduled for July 7 — 13, 2024. Operation Safe Driver Week is an annual one-week enforcement and educational campaign targeting unsafe driving by passenger and commercial vehicle drivers.
•Brake Safety Week is scheduled for August 25 — 31, 2024. During Brake Safety Week, commercial motor vehicle inspectors conduct brake system inspections (primarily Level IV Inspections) on large trucks and buses throughout North America to identify brake-system violations.
*There is also an unannounced CVSA Brake Safety Day planned that can happen at any time during 2024.