The 2024 Texas wildfires were marked by several major fires, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Texas panhandle and part of Oklahoma.
| 2024 Texas wildfires | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Smokehouse Creek Fire | |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 2 |
The Smokehouse Creek Fire burned an estimated 1,058,482 acres (1,653.878 sq mi; 428,352 ha) in Texas and Oklahoma and was completely contained on March 16,[1] becoming the second largest fire in US history dating back to 1988. It started on Monday, February 26, one mile north of Stinnett in Hutchinson County, Texas.
Other fires include the Windy Deuce Fire, which also started on February 26. As of March 3, it has burned 144,206 acres (225.322 sq mi; 58,358 ha), including a portion of Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, and it is 100% contained.[2]
In addition, the Grape Vine Creek Fire started 9.5 miles south of Lefors in Gray County, Texas on the same day, burning an estimated 34,882 acres (54.503 sq mi; 14,116 ha) with 100% containment.[3][4][5][6]
List of wildfires
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2024) |
The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), or produced significant structural damage or casualties.
| Name | County | Acres | Start date | Containment date | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smokehouse Creek | Hemphill & Roberts | 1,058,482 | February 26 | March 16 | Two fatalities |
Aftermath
editAt least two people died as a result of the fires[7] and at least 7,000 cattle have died.[8] Panhandle ranchers and farmers are seeking government assistance to recover from their losses.[9][10] Volunteer organizations are assisting in the recovery efforts.[9][11]
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the largest wildfire, with attention on a downed Xcel Energy Co. power line near Stinnett as a potential ignition source. Lawsuits have been filed against Xcel Energy for alleged negligence leading to the fires.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Smokehouse Creek Fire Information". inciweb.nwcg.gov. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.[dead link]
- ^ "Windy Deuce Fire Information". inciweb.nwcg.gov. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.[dead link]
- ^ "Wildfires and Disasters | Current Situation TFS". tfsweb.tamu.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "Texas wildfires, including second-largest on record, rage across Panhandle". Reuters.
- ^ "Grape Vine Creek - Wildfire and Smoke Map". USA Today. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Grape Vine Creek Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. February 29, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.[dead link]
- ^ Li Cohen. "Texas' largest-ever wildfire that killed at least 2 apparently ignited by power company facilities, company says". CBS News, March 7, 2024.
- ^ Brandi D. Addison. "At least 7,000 cows have died in historic Texas wildfires, official says". Amarillo Globe-News, March 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Rubin, Kate McGee, Jayme Lozano Carver and Madaleine (March 1, 2024). "New Panhandle wildfire emerges, forcing evacuation of tiny town of Sanford". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Texas Panhandle wildfires: What you need to know about the blazes, damage and recovery". The Texas Tribune. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
- ^ Nick Oxford; Rich Mckay (February 29, 2024). "Texas wildfires, including second-largest on record, rage across Panhandle". Reuters.