A massive wildfire in the Texas Panhandle exploded across more than 1 million acres in just four days, making it the largest wildfire in the state’s history as firefighters continue to fight the blaze.
Crews fighting the Smokehouse Creek Fire and four others in the area received brief, and rather strange, help from the winter weather as snow piled up across the area on Thursday. I expected.
About an inch of snow is expected to fall on Thursday in subfreezing temperatures in areas where a weak low-pressure system passes through the Texas wildfire zone.
It’s a welcome relief from the hot, dry and windy conditions that have led to the explosive development of several wildfires that have burned through dry vegetation.
“Rain helps, but when it comes to fires, snow is the best,” said FOX Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin. “Think of using a fire extinguisher to put out a fire. It has the same effect. It moistens (the area) and can really put out the fire.”
Unfortunately, this storm will have little effect on the growing fires, other than keeping humidity high throughout the day.
One person was found dead and dozens of buildings were damaged after a fire broke out Monday in Hutchinson County, north of Amarillo. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Five major wildfires have burned across the Texas Panhandle, burning more than 1.25 million acres and prompting evacuations, road closures and states of emergency.
The biggest fires continue to burn in Smokehouse Creek Fire North of Stinnett, containment is just 3%.
On Wednesday, the fire exploded in size as it moved east, growing from 300,000 acres to 850,000 acres, making it the second-largest wildfire in Texas history.
The fire then grew by an additional 225,000 acres on Thursday, making it the largest fire in state history.
“The fire spans 295 miles,” FOX Weather meteorologist Stephen Morgen said. “That’s almost twice the size of Delaware.”
Fire officials lifted evacuation orders for the town of Canadian on Wednesday, but warned there was still a “moderate” chance the fire would spread. “Ground crews are moving along the fire with heavy equipment, but progress is slow due to the rough terrain.” According to Wednesday night’s update From the Texas A&M Forest Service. More fire resources are expected to arrive Thursday.
Windy Deuce Fire destroys town of Fritch, Texas
Further west, windy deuce fire It burned 142,000 acres across Moore, Potter, and Carson counties, leading to the evacuation of several communities. The fire consumed about half of the town of Fritch.
“Well, our house is still standing,” homeowner Lee Quesada said during a video tour of the charred neighborhood. “But when you look on the other side of the burning tree, two buildings are on fire, your neighbor is on fire, two houses across the street are on fire.”
And south and east of the massive Smokehouse Creek Fire, the Grape Vine Creek Fire is 60% contained after burning 30,000 acres.
The fires have not only left residents scrambling for safety, but also sent thick smoke spreading across the Texas Panhandle and into the plains.
Wind forecasts predict the smoke will move north across the Oklahoma Panhandle, through Kansas and Nebraska, and into Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
The weather observatory was completely destroyed by fire as the thermometer read 126 degrees.
The fire spread to the town of Canadian, Texas, on Tuesday, with flames flaring up at an automated weather station on Tuesday afternoon.
West Texas Mesonet, which operates the base, said temperatures as high as 126 degrees were recorded at the site before it was destroyed.
Operations at a nuclear weapons facility outside Amarillo have been suspended as flames moved dangerously close.
Late Tuesday, Pantex announced that the search for all employees at the facility had been completed and firefighters were in structural protection mode, but the facility remained secure.
Dangerous fire weather conditions return to Texas on Friday
Just as quickly as the weather has changed in favor of firefighting efforts, it can again hinder them.
Temperatures on Friday will rise into the 70s, with winds gusting over 45 to 50 mph. Additionally, relative humidity levels can drop below 20% and reach up to 10%.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center He said the fire weather danger was already high on Friday, and severe fire weather conditions were expected on both Saturday and Sunday.
The combination of warm, windy air and dry ground will allow sparks to spread rapidly, again increasing the risk of an active fire breaking through containment lines.
