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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Your support makes all the difference.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.
Active wildfires and containment levels as of Monday
- 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
- Roughneck Fire, Hutchinson County - est. 300 acres, 50% contained
Greg Abbott continues to plead for hay, fencing materials
While speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, the Republican governor pleaded with neighbouring states and communities to send hay and fencing materials. He said that there have been many donations since the fire began but the amount of hay already delivered is not sustainable.
“The hay that has been delivered has already been used, for the most part. And the reality is for not just days, but for months, there’s going to be far more hay that is needed”, he said at a Tuesday news conference.
Greg Abbott responds to death of fire chief
“To see a chief, a first responder, working to battle back against flames and losing his life in the line of duty is something that we never want to see,” Mr Abbott said of Fritch Volunteer Fire Department Chief Zeb Smith, who died of a heart attack while fighting a fire on Tuesday morning.
Elevated wildfire risks continue this weekend, says Texas emergency management system
Smokehouse Creek fire now nearly the size of Connecticut
The Smokehouse Creek fire has expanded to include 1.3m miles, roughly the size of Connecticut.
The number of acres burned from fire previously took the state four years to burn
Before the start of Texas wildfires, the state took as much as four years to burn the same number of acres that have been scorched since last month, according to CBS News.
Watch: Firefighters drive through largest blaze in Texas history in terrifying footage
Firefighters drive through largest blaze in Texas history in terrifying footage
Volunteer firefighters were encircled by flames from the largest wildfire in Texas history, apocalyptic footage shows. Two women were killed by the fires in the last week, but with flames still raging in a wide area authorities have been unable to thoroughly search for victims. The blaze has merged with another fire and crossed into Oklahoma, scorching more than 4,400 square kilometres (1,700 square miles) and was 15 per cent contained as of Saturday (2 March) according to officials. It has devastated prairie, leaving dead cattle and destroying approximately 500 structures including homes.
What to do if you’re asked to evacuate
Texas officials are asking people that could potentially be impacted by the ongoing fires to make sure they’re prepared to evacuate. Nearby residents should have their cars filled with the necessary fuel and know where they could go if they need to leave the area, fire officials said at a news conference on Friday.
SEE IT: Texas rancher herds cattle across fire-charred landscape
Threat of new fires expected to decrease throughout the week
Fire environment conditions will become moderate throughout the week, the Texas A&M Forest Service announced in an update on Monday. Officials are hoping that the new conditions will reduce the the likelihood of new wildfires that are difficult to control.
“Cooler temperatures and less wind will aid in the ongoing suppression efforts for active wildfires,” the service said in a news release. “An underlying risk for new wildfires will continue in the Texas Panhandle and South Texas until spring green-up in occurs in the abundance of grass vegetation found in these regions.”
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