What are the cities most affected by the fire in Texas?
The Smokehouse Creek Fire, one of four raging in Texas, has consumed over 1 million acres, a record in the state, across the Panhandle and into Oklahoma.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire has grown to over 1 million acres, becoming the largest ever for Texas, and is only 15 percent contained. It is one of four that have broken out since February 26 affecting various counties in the Texas Panhandle. In addition to causing damage in Texas, the blaze has reached areas of Oklahoma where two other wildfires are burning.
According to official information from the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire has expanded to more than 1,600 miles, a figure that is bigger than the total land area of Rhode Island. Previously, the deadliest fire had been the one that razed East Amarillo Complex in 2006.
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In addition to the Smokehouse Creek Fire, Texas is dealing with other wildfires that remain active. These are affecting Windy Deuce, Grape Vine Creek, Magenta and two more areas in Ellis County just across the border in Oklahoma. Due to the large area affected by the fires, Texas A&M has activated the alert at level 3, suggesting that the wildfires will last at least until next week.
“Texas A&M Forest Service has raised the wildland fire preparedness level to level 3 due to an increase in large, active wildfires and increased resource commitment. The fire environment is expected to support wildfire activity over the next few weeks,” the institution posted on social media.
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What areas are the most affected by the wildfires in Texas?
The region hit hardest by the wildfires has been the Panhandle, which covers the northernmost area of Texas. There are currently three large fires are developing in the area: Smokehouse Creek, the Windy Deuce and the Grape Vine Creek.
Below is the map of the wildfires in Texas as of Feb. 29.
Given the location of the fires, the city of Amarillo, as well as surrounding regions, have a higher alert level. Similarly, Ellis County has been hit by two fires, although these are smaller in magnitude. There are reports of structures having been damaged in Canadian, Fritch, Stinnett and outside Borger city.
So far, the fires have claimed the life of two people in Hutchinson County. According to various reports, one person was identified as an 83-year-old woman another was a 44-year-old truck driver Cindy Owen. For more information and real-time updates, visit the Texas A&M Forest Service website.