2024 Texas wildfires explained

2024 Texas wildfires
Fatalities:2
Is Season:yes
Year:2024
Season Name:Texas wildfires

The 2024 Texas wildfires were marked by several major fires, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Texas panhandle and part of Oklahoma.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire burned an estimated 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, 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 with 100% containment.[3] [4] [5] [6]

List of wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than, or produced significant structural damage or casualties.

NameCounty <-- of origin-->AcresStart dateContainment dateNotesRef
Smokehouse CreekHemphill & RobertsTwo fatalities
Blue Stem 24Brazoria[7]

Aftermath

At least two people died as a result of the fires[8] and at least 7,000 cattle have died.[9] Panhandle ranchers and farmers are seeking government assistance to recover from their losses.[10] [11] Volunteer organizations are assisting in the recovery efforts.[12]

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.[11]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Smokehouse Creek Fire Information . inciweb.nwcg.gov . 1 March 2024 . en . 29 February 2024.
  2. Web site: Windy Deuce Fire Information . inciweb.nwcg.gov . 1 March 2024 . en . 29 February 2024.
  3. Web site: Wildfires and Disasters Current Situation TFS . 2024-02-29 . tfsweb.tamu.edu . en.
  4. News: Texas wildfires, including second-largest on record, rage across Panhandle . Reuters .
  5. News: USA Today . Grape Vine Creek - Wildfire and Smoke Map . February 29, 2024 .
  6. Web site: Grape Vine Creek Fire . inciweb.nwcg.gov . March 1, 2024 . February 29, 2024.
  7. Web site: Blue Stem 24 Fire . July 3, 2024 . Watch Duty.
  8. Li Cohen. "Texas' largest-ever wildfire that killed at least 2 apparently ignited by power company facilities, company says". CBS News, March 7, 2024.
  9. Brandi D. Addison. "At least 7,000 cows have died in historic Texas wildfires, official says". Amarillo Globe-News, March 11, 2024.
  10. News: Rubin . Kate. McGee. Jayme . Lozano Carver. Madaleine . March 1, 2024 . New Panhandle wildfire emerges, forcing evacuation of tiny town of Sanford . March 14, 2024 . The Texas Tribune.
  11. News: March 4, 2024 . Texas Panhandle wildfires: What you need to know about the blazes, damage and recovery . March 14, 2024 . The Texas Tribune.
  12. News: Nick Oxford . Rich Mckay . Texas wildfires, including second-largest on record, rage across Panhandle . Reuters . February 29, 2024 .