A massive blaze has engulfed over 1 million acres, making it the largest fire in the history of the state.
The Smokehouse Creek wildfire in Texas has quickly become the second-largest fire in the state’s history, covering an estimated 1,075,000 acres. Currently, it is only 3% contained.
On Thursday morning, fire officials reported that the Smokehouse Creek Fire has surpassed the East Amarillo Complex fire in 2006, becoming the largest recorded fire in Texas, with over 1 million acres burned.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire has also scorched at least 31,590 acres in Oklahoma, according to the Oklahoma Forestry Service.
Tragically, widespread destruction has occurred in northern Texas due to the fire, resulting in the death of 83-year-old Joyce Blankenship in Hutchinson County. Her grandson, Nathan Blankenship, shared that there was no way she could have escaped the fire as her house was completely destroyed.
This is one of five catastrophic infernos currently devastating the Texas Panhandle. These fires have claimed at least one life and pose a threat to numerous homes, cattle, and livelihoods.
Although there may be some light precipitation on Thursday, dry air and strong winds are expected to return on Friday and throughout the weekend, further fueling the flames.
Latest developments:
• Power outages are a significant concern as North Plains Electric Cooperative faces the daunting task of rebuilding approximately 115 miles of power lines.
• Hemphill County has suffered tremendous damage, with 400,000 acres burned and numerous homes destroyed. Additionally, thousands of cattle have perished. The Panhandle region is responsible for raising more than 85% of Texas’ cattle, according to agricultural officials.
• Besides the immense Smokehouse Creek Fire, the Windy Deuce Fire in Texas has burned 142,000 acres and is currently 30% contained.
• The Grape Vine Creek Fire has scorched 30,000 acres and is 60% contained.
• The Magenta Fire has consumed 2,500 acres and is 65% contained.
• The 687 Reamer Fire has burned over 2,000 acres and is 10% contained.
• Texas Governor Greg Abbott has authorized additional state resources to combat these blazes, including 94 firefighting personnel, 33 fire engines, and six air tankers.
In Oklahoma, at least 13 homes have been destroyed, and Governor Kevin Stitt has activated emergency response teams to address the situation.
The city of Fritch, Texas, is currently under a boil water notice. However, compliance is challenging due to many residents being without electricity or gas, according to Hutchinson County. To alleviate the situation, water bottles are being distributed at various churches and other locations.
Amarillo National Bank is launching the Panhandle Disaster Relief Fund for wildfire victims. The bank is making a significant contribution of $1 million towards this effort.The Smokehouse Creek Fire, currently the largest wildfire in Texas in the past 35 years, has been causing havoc in the Texas Panhandle since Monday afternoon. It has already scorched over 850,000 acres of land, surpassing last year’s total of 200,000 acres affected by wildfires in Texas. Only 3% of the fire has been contained, and it has spread to Oklahoma, burning over 30,000 acres there.
The fire experienced a dramatic increase in size, going from 500,000 acres to 850,000 acres, due to a sudden shift in wind direction on Wednesday. As of early Thursday morning, it is still only 3% contained.
According to Adam Turner, a spokesperson for the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire rapidly grew because of the north wind, creating a massive wall of fire that advanced across the landscape.
In the town of Fritch, where several wildfires posed a threat, Frank Probst prioritized the safety of his elderly neighbors before evacuating. Probst and his family had little time to spare, being the last ones to leave and leaving all their belongings behind. Probst explained that the evacuation sirens sounded too late, and they had to swiftly jump into their car and flee.