Texas wildfires: Firefighter killed responding to blaze as state pleads for hay to stem cattle losses
The Smokehouse Creek fire which is now five times the size of New York City
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Cool weather on Monday managed to help officials quell some of the fires as containment levels increased early this week, with two fires becoming completely contained.
But fire authorities warn that increased fire weather could hit the Texas Panhandle Thursday and Friday. At a news conference on Tuesday, Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd pleaded with nearby residents not to start any new fires.
“Over 90% of wildfires are human caused,” he claimed. Strong winds and dry conditions this past weekend exacerbated flames, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire in northern Texas which remains only 44 per cent contained, according to the forest service. The fires began late last month.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned more than 1.3 million acres across the Texas Panhandle and destroyed 500 structures. It’s now the largest fire in the state’s history and one of the largest in the US’ history.
Authorities say it has been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of cattle and forcing evacuations. Statewide, the fires have killed at least two civilians and one volunteer fire chief.
A lawsuit filed last week claims that the fires originated from an electric pole that wasn’t properly inspected, fell and started the blaze.
Lawsuit blames Texas Smokecreek fire on energy company
A splintered power poll owned by Xcel Energy and maintained by Southwestern Public Service Company fell and started the fire, a woman from Hemphill County, where the blaze has destroyed thousands of acres, said.
Melanie McQuiddy is suing both of the companies in a lawsuit she filed last week.
“Xcel will pay for every dollar that its wildfire has caused,” her attorney Mikal Watts told Reuters.
Here’s where active and contained fires are located
The following are a list of current active and contained fires, according to Texas A&M Forest Service.
Active:
- Grape Vine Creek Fire, Gray County - 34,882 acres, 60% contained
- Smokehouse Creek Fire, Hutchinson County - est. 1,076,638 acres, 15% contained
- Windy Deuce Fire, Moore County - 144,206 acres, 55% contained
- Magenta Fire, Oldham County - 3,297 acres, 85% contained
Contained Wildfires (100%):
- Cass 0367 Fire, Cass County - 1 acre
- Red River 0369 Fire, Red River County - 1 acre
- Wood 0366 Fire, Wood County - 5 acres
- Tyler 0370 Fire, Tyler County - 30 acres
How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke
- Keep yourself and pets indoors.
- Keep windows closed.
- Turn off outdoor intake air conditioning.
- Avoid exertion if you go outside and consider wearing an N95 mask.
Authorities issue update on Texas wildfires
The Texas A&M Forest Service issued an update on the ongoing fires on Sunday. The agency said it had responded to four new requests for assistance on wildfires buring 37 acres across the state. Several wildfires across the Texas Panhandle are active.
“The fire environment will trend warmer, drier, and windier across the Texas High Plains and northern Rolling Plains through Sunday ahead of a cold front passage Monday,” a news release stated. “As fuel moisture decreases, expect moderate initial attack fire potential Saturday in the High Plains and upper Rolling Plains where fire danger is forecast as very high.”
The statement noted that Sunday’s fire environment supported “high potential for initial attack fires in the High Plains with moderate potential for large fires that have high resistance to control in dry, above normal grass loading for the southeastern High Plains when subjected to well above normal temperatures and critical wind speeds.
“A large fire will be possible in the western portion of the Canadian River drainage northwest of Amarillo where above normal grass loading is present”.
Governor Greg Abbott responds to Texas fires
“As Texans in the Panhandle respond to these devastating wildfires, the State of Texas continues working around the clock to swiftly provide the necessary resources to protect Texans,” Mr Abbott, a Republican, said in a news release.
“The safety and well-being of impacted Texans is our No. 1 priority as the potential for more dangerous wildfires persists in the coming days.
“We urge Texans to continue to heed the guidance of state and local officials and utilize tools that have been made available by the Texas Division of Emergency Management and local partners. I thank our brave firefighters and first responders who are risking their lives and working around-the-clock to protect their fellow Texans during this time of crisis.”
Texas wildfire not expected to have a significant impact on beef
David P Anderson, professor of agricultural economics at Texas A&M University, told CNN that he does not expect the price of beef to be significantly impacted due to the wildfires.
“If the fire hits your ranch, it’s a huge disaster for you,” he told the outlet. “But we don’t expect to see price effects to consumers because of this.”
Wildfires see uptick in containment levels
Active fires:
- Grape Vine Creek Fire, Gray County - 34,882 acres, 60% contained
- Smokehouse Creek Fire, Hutchinson County - est. 1,059,570 acres, 37% contained
- Windy Deuce Fire, Moore County - 144,206 acres, 55% contained
- Roughneck Fire, Hutchinson County - 355 acres, 80% contained
The following fires have been completely contained:
- Magenta Fire, Oldham County - 3,297 acres
- Upshur 0374 Fire, Upshur County - 1 acres
Governor Abbott to give update on wildfires
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is expected to deliver remarks this afternoon about the current state of the ongoing wildfires. The conference is set to start momentarily.
70 per cent of Hemphill County burned
Hemphill County, which is home to the city of Canadian, has been 70 per cent burned, Governor Greg Abbott said at a news conference on Tuesday.
Additionally, 47 families have been displaced and given emergency shelter through the American Red Cross and similar organisations.
Fire weather expected Thursday and Friday
Officials in Texas are warning that fire weather could continue on Thursday and Friday. Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd asked residents near fires to remain vigilant to ensure no new fires start in the oncoming days at a news conference on Tuesday.
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