Where are the Texas wildfires? Map of where the largest fire in state history is located
Massive wildfires are scorching parts of Texas with the largest covering an area bigger than Rhode Island. Here’s where they are and where they are moving.
The end of February saw temperatures more appropriate to summer than the fleeting days of winter. The hot, dry and windy weather provided the perfect conditions for wildfires which are bringing destruction and heartache to Texas.
The Lone Star State is experiencing one of the worst wildfires in recent years, with over 1,078,000 acres burning in the Smokehouse Creek Fire alone. Located in Hutchinson County, it started on 26 February, and the conditions have made activating a response very challenging. The fire is now the largest in the state’s history, and is only fifteen percent contained as of the morning on 1 March. First responders still have their work cut out for them but most of the fire received percipitation on Thursday halting its growth.
“It looked like the end of the world”: Firefighters are desperately working to contain massive wildfires in Texas that have killed at least two people.
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) March 1, 2024
One of those blazes, the Smokehouse Creek Fire, is now the largest in the state’s history, burning more than 1 million acres. pic.twitter.com/463agHfT7s
Where are the Texas wildfires burning?
According to maps published by Texas A&M Forest Service, the wildfires are principally burning across Northern Texas, including Carson, Gray, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Moore, Potter and Roberts Counties. With the fire still not under the control of first responders, the damage in these counties could grow in the coming hours and days.
Update: the #SmokehouseCreekFire in Hutchinson County is an estimated 1,078,086 acres and 15% contained. With conditions yesterday, there was no fire growth. Increase in acreage due to more accurate mapping and this is subject to change. #txfire pic.twitter.com/aJKRg3PHhE
— Incident Information - Texas A&M Forest Service (@AllHazardsTFS) March 1, 2024
Some residents are experiencing power outages as the blaze continues to threaten and destroy utility infrastructure. In a press release put out by the North Plains Electric Cooperative, it reported placing “all of our transmission and distribution breakers on one shot to de-energize a feeder immediately upon operation.” This action was taken because of the very high winds reported in the area, which left residents from Miami to Glazier without power in the early afternoon on Wednesday.
On Thursday it was reported that roughly 1,300 customers around Borger and Stinnett and 1,000 southeast and northwest of Canadian were suffering power outages. Canadian River Municipal Water Authority said that some of its facilities had been damaged. It supplies water to Amarillo, Lubbock and other member cities.
Keep informed, fires move fast
On Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 Texas counties “in response to widespread wildfire activity throughout the state.” The weather conditions that could increase the potential for these wildfires to grow larger and more dangerous are expected to continue over the coming days warned Abbott.
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To keep up to date on the fires, be sure to follow Incident Information - Texas A&M Forest Service on X, and make sure to take the advice of local authorities in the case additional evacuation orders are issued.
Additionally, be sure to check out this resource provided by the state government, with advice on how to prepare for a wildfire and what you should do in the case your community is threatened by an active fire. At Texas Ready, you will find guidance on what supplies you should have on hand, as well as where you can find all the most up to date information on the fires and messages from authorities.
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