Amarillo TX Local News - February 19, 2026

Amarillo TX Local News Breaking news LAVENDER FIRE UPDATE: The Lavender Fire continues to burn across 9,000 acres north of Amarillo with only 10% containment as of Wednesday afternoon [1][6]. The Valle de Oro community remains under mandatory evacuation orders, with The Church at Bushland (1800 S FM 2381) serving as an evacuation center and accepting donations for firefighters [1][6]. Residents are urged to stay away from the area to allow emergency personnel to focus on firefighting operations [6]. POWER RESTORATION: Xcel Energy has restored power to 97% of customers affected by Tuesday's Public Safety Power Shutoff and weather-related outages across the Texas Panhandle [5][8]. As of 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, 526 customers remained without electricity, with all Amarillo customers restored except those near the ongoing Lavender Fire [5]. The shutoff was implemented in 14 Panhandle counties due to wind gusts up to 70 mph and critical fire weather conditions [5]. SHOOTING SUSPECT ARRESTED: Nathaniel Maya, 29, was arrested Tuesday after a police chase that began following a shooting incident in Amarillo [3][7]. Maya faces three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, evading arrest/detention in a motor vehicle and on foot, and resisting arrest [3]. The chase ended in a field near Western and Arden Road in Randall County after Maya wrecked his car [7]. HOMEOWNER REBUILDING AFTER POLICE CHASE DAMAGE: Angela Molina is working to rebuild her home after a police chase ended with a car crashing into her house nearly three weeks ago [2]. The home remains boarded up and badly damaged, with Molina stating "Everything is damaged, everything"