Texas battles largest wildfire in state history amidst devastating losses

Texas is facing a massive wildfire, largest in the state’s history, has charred historic one million acres and killed at least one person

Texas’ emergency personnel are up against an increasingly formidable wildfire that grew to be the biggest in the state’s history on Thursday. Fueled by strong winds and unyielding winter heat, the fire has charred a historic one million acres and killed at least one person as it rages out of control.

Five significant fires are raging in the state’s north, dubbed the Texas panhandle, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. The biggest of these, known as the Smokehouse Creek Fire, started on Monday and quickly spread to an incredible 1,075,000 acres, becoming the largest wildfire in Texas history. Only 3% of the fire perimeter has been secured as of Thursday due to containment efforts.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire’s extent has surpassed even previous disastrous incidents, most notably the East Amarillo Complex tragedy of 2006, which consumed 907,000 acres. The problem has been made worse by the combination of Smokehouse Creek with another fire.

Authorities voice cautious optimism about the weather forecast, expecting circumstances that would support firefighting operations despite the overwhelming task. Responders had some optimism when the Texas A&M Forest Service reported a positive change in weather patterns.

As firefighters tackle the fire, the damage to the local communities is already apparent. A heartbreaking story broke in the Hutchinson County city of Stinnett when an 83-year-old woman’s corpse was found among the burned landscape. A representative for Hutchinson County emergency services, Deidra Thomas, confirmed the alarming finding and bemoaned the loss of almost twenty buildings to the fire.

Governor Greg Abbott declared 60 Texas counties to be under a state of disaster in response to the rapidly worsening situation, bringing in more resources to put out the flames. The proclamation seeks to increase the state’s ability to handle the emergency as it develops.

Source: AFP