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.
Map of fires ravaging the Panhandle
The Smokehouse Creek fire is the largest in state history, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. It is just 15 per cent contained after six days, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
High winds and low humidity in the Panhandle are causing “critical fire weather conditions,” and threatening to intensify the monster wildfire, according to forecasters. The fires have also destroyed over 500 structures.
Here’s a map of the fires:
Texas wildfires: Map of blazes ravaging the Panhandle
The Smokehouse Creek fire is largest in state history
World Central Kitchen working to help families in the area
The nonprofit, which is an organisation that works to make food for families in need, made the announcement on X, formerly Twitter.
Governor Abbott pleads with other states to send hay
During a news conference on Friday, Governor Greg Abbott pleaded with states and regions close to the wildfires to continue to send hay.
“If there’s any state, any city any community that’s provided hay, as the governor of Texas, I want to thank you for your help,” he said, adding, “But also please send more.”
He continued: “We don’t know how long we’re going to be going through this situation with inadequate hay for this region.”
Several people who lost homes in the fire did not have homeowners insurance
State Republican Governor Greg Abbott made the announcement at a news conference on Friday.
“A lot of the people who have lost a home had no insurance,” he said “So there are a lot of people in great need right now.”
Cold front moves across Texas Panhandle on Monday
A cold front set to move across the Texas Panhandle on Monday amid the largest wildfire in state’s history.
Officials said until then, however, critical fire weather conditions remain in effect.
Will Texas panhandle get rain amid raging wildfires?
Rain could be possible later in the week, according to a NWS Amarillo tweet. But not a high chance.
“Not a high chance at this time, but we will watch the chance for rain later this week. Could even see a few thunderstorms, especially for the eastern Panhandles into western Oklahoma.”
New lawsuit describes possible cause of fire
Melanie McQuiddy, a woman from Hemphill County who lost her home in the Smokehouse Creek fire, is suing Xcel Energy Services, and their contractor, Southwestern Public Service Company, for what she believes to be their involvement in an electrical fire that incinerated over a million acres.
Read more:
Faulty power line to blame for devastating Texas wildfire, lawsuit claims
The Smokehouse Creek fire is now the largest blaze in Texas history
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