Several large wildfires continue to tear through the Texas Panhandle, including one that has grown into the largest blaze in state history.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire that ignited in Hutchinson County remained active Friday morning, with just 15% containment, the Texas A&M Forest Service said. The flames, which cover an area larger than the size of Rhode Island, have spread across state lines, with more than a million acres burned in Texas and 25,000 acres burned in Oklahoma. There was no growth over most of Thursday due to some precipitation and lighter winds.
The East Amarillo Complex Fire, which burned also in Hutchinson County in 2006, had been the largest in the state’s history at just under 1 million acres, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
A drone view of buildings damaged by a wildfire in Stinnett, Texas, Feb. 28, 2024, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video.
Tucker Stroud via Reuters
Fire officials from Lubbock, Texas, help put out smoldering debris of a home destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek Fire, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Stinnett, Texas.
Julio Cortez/AP
At least two people have died in the fires. Cindy Owen, 44, from Amarillo, who had been making deliveries, was caught up in the Smokehouse Creek Fire on Tuesday, Owen’s sister-in-law Jennifer Mitchell told ABC News. Authorities found her alive outside the truck, and she was transported to an Oklahoma City burn unit, where she died Thursday morning, Mitchell said.
An 83-year-old woman died in Stinnett, Texas, earlier this week, according to The Associated Press. The family identified her as Joyce Blankenship, a retired school teacher, and said she’d been found in her burned-out home.
The Windy Deuce Fire that ignited in Moore County was also still active as of Thursday night, having burned an estimated 142,000 acres and was 55% contained. The Grape Vine Fire that ignited in nearby Gray County had burned an estimated 30,000 acres and was 60% contained as of early Wednesday, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
A drone view of the grasslands burning from the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Roberts County, Texas, on Feb. 28, 2024.
Nathan Frandino/Reuters
The raging wildfires have consumed swathes of the Turkey Track Ranch, a 120-year-old, 80,000-acre private property located along the Canadian River in the Texas Panhandle. The sprawling, historic ranch has been up for sale and is listed at $180 million.
“The loss of livestock, crops, and wildlife, as well as ranch fencing and other infrastructure throughout our property as well as other ranches and homes across the region is, we believe, unparalleled in our history,” managers of the Turkey Track Ranch Family Group said in a statement Wednesday. “Our early assessment estimates that The Turkey Track Ranch has suffered and lost approximately 80% of our pastures, plains, and creek bottom vegetation. We continue to assess the total damage to other infrastructure and the loss of livestock.”
This handout picture courtesy of the Flower Mound Fire Department taken on Feb. 28, 2024, shows a firefighter battling the Smokehouse Creek Fire, near Amarillo, in the Texas Panhandle.
Flower Mound Fire Department/AFP via Getty Images
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday declared a disaster declaration for 60 counties due to “widespread wildfire activity throughout the state.”
The weather forecast for Thursday shows relative humidity will be high, with cooler temperatures and a chance of rain and snow for the Texas Panhandle, which would help with firefighting efforts. Wind gusts could get up to 30 miles per hour, but aren’t expected to be as extreme as they were earlier in the week.
However, unseasonably warm and windy weather is expected to return to the wildfire-ravaged region this weekend, creating ideal conditions for critical fire danger. Temperatures in the Texas Panhandle are forecast to surpass 70 and even 80 degrees Fahrenheit from Friday through Sunday, while wind gusts could be 30 to 45 mph.
ABC News’ Max Golembo and Marilyn Heck contributed to this report.
Two fatalities have been reported in the Texas Panhandle as the state’s largest wildfire continues to spread, causing widespread devastation and prompting evacuations in several communities. The fire, which has been dubbed the “Eastland Complex Fire,” has already burned over 85,000 acres and is showing no signs of slowing down.
The two fatalities were reported in the town of Eastland, where the fire first broke out earlier this week. The victims, whose identities have not yet been released, were reportedly unable to escape their homes in time and were overcome by the fast-moving flames. Their deaths serve as a tragic reminder of the dangers posed by wildfires and the importance of heeding evacuation orders.
The Eastland Complex Fire has forced the evacuation of thousands of residents in the area, with many seeking shelter in nearby towns and emergency shelters. The fire has also destroyed numerous homes and buildings, leaving many families without a place to live.
Firefighters from across the state have been working tirelessly to contain the blaze, but high winds and dry conditions have made their efforts challenging. The fire is currently only 20% contained, and officials are warning that it could continue to spread in the coming days.
Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency in response to the wildfire, mobilizing additional resources to assist with firefighting efforts. The Texas National Guard has also been called in to provide support, including helicopters and other equipment to help battle the flames.
Residents in the affected areas are being urged to stay vigilant and follow evacuation orders as necessary. The safety of residents and first responders is the top priority, and officials are working around the clock to protect lives and property.
As the Eastland Complex Fire continues to burn, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire prevention and preparedness. With wildfires becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, it is crucial for communities to have emergency plans in place and to take precautions to reduce the risk of fires.
The thoughts and prayers of all Texans are with those affected by the Eastland Complex Fire, and we stand united in support of those who are working tirelessly to contain the blaze. Together, we will overcome this challenge and rebuild stronger than ever before.
