CHOOSE LANGUAGE

SELECT LANGUAGE BELOW

Texas wildfire nearly 900,000 acres of land

February 28, 2024

The Texas Panhandle fire has burned nearly 900,000 acres, causing widespread evacuations, road closures and a state of emergency.

The fire was the second largest in Texas history since the state began recording data in 2005, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

The largest fire is the Smokehouse Creek Fire. North of Stinnett with only 3% containment.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire is one of five large wildfires currently burning in the Texas Panhandle.

Pennsylvania authorities reveal cause of death of murder-suicide arson victim

This handout photo published on February 27, 2024 shows smoke and flames from a wildfire in what is shown as the US state of Texas. (Greenville Fire Rescue/Handout via Reuters)

In this handout photo published on February 27, 2024, a car drives through smoke and flames from a wildfire in what is shown as the U.S. state of Texas. (Greenville Fire Rescue/Handout via Reuters)

Dry conditions and above-average temperatures have increased the risk of wildfires, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Officials said winds of 40 to 50 mph pushed the fire north of Pampa, Texas.

On Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott A disaster declaration has been issued. Wildfires spread rapidly in the Lone Star State, affecting 60 Texas counties.

“I am issuing a disaster declaration today to ensure critical fire response resources are quickly deployed to the Texas Panhandle region affected by devastating wildfires,” Governor Abbott said. “The state of Texas stands ready to provide support to our local partners and commit all resources necessary to protect Texans and their property.

This photo taken from social media is an aerial view of wildfires in Texas, USA, on February 27, 2024. (via Patrick Ryan/Reuters)

In this photo obtained by Reuters on February 27, 2024, members of the Wildland Team set out on a mission as fires spread in the Texas Panhandle. (Flower Mound Texas Fire Department/via Reuters)

People who once lived in the area have told of a harrowing escape.

Wildfires rage in Texas’ Panhandle

“We must have experienced 30 miles of barren desert, what can only be described as a lunar landscape,” Greg Downey told FOX 4.

Burnt wood from the Smokehouse Creek wildfire burns at a Canadian storage yard in Texas, USA, on February 28, 2024. (Reuters/Nick Oxford)

On February 28, 2024, the Smokehouse Creek wildfire burns through grasslands in parts of suburban Canada, Texas, and the United States. (Reuters/Nick Oxford)