Dust storms in Texas and New Mexico raise fire risks

Dust storms in Texas and New Mexico are causing serious problems. Visibility has dropped to almost zero in some areas, leading to road closures. Forecasters warn that the risk of fires in the dry region will continue until Thursday. Strong winds have stirred up dust clouds, making driving very dangerous. The National Weather Service reported poor visibility, especially around Lubbock, Texas. This situation extended into southwest Oklahoma, where visibility was also severely affected. As a result, officials issued warnings for blowing dust in the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma. In New Mexico, severe dust storms have created hazardous driving conditions. The Transportation Department reported that bad visibility caused some road closures. Additionally, over 35,000 customers lost power in New Mexico and Texas due to the weather. Fire danger remains high across several states, including Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Arkansas. A red flag warning is in effect, indicating a significant risk for new fires or for existing ones to spread. Wind gusts of over 60 miles per hour are expected, adding to the challenges for firefighters. In Texas, a fire near Borger has quickly spread to 350 acres, forcing some residents to evacuate. Another fire in northern Dallam County has grown to about 15,000 acres and is partially contained. Authorities are closing roads due to low visibility from both the dust and wildfire smoke.