Texas Panhandle wildfires: Crews make progress containing largest fire in state history

STINNETT, Texas - Fire crews are making progress containing the Smokehouse Creek fire burning in the Texas Panhandle.

The fire in Hutchinson County has burned 1,078,086 acres in Texas and Oklahoma, making it the largest in the history of the state. That's more than 17,000 square miles, and perimeter of the fire is more than 550 miles long.

Gov. Greg Abbott and emergency officials gave an update Friday on the situation that has already taken two lives and injured others.

The Smokehouse Creek fire, one of several in the Texas Panhandle, is now 15% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. On Thursday, the fire was just 3% contained.

Crews were helped by snow and rain in the Panhandle on Thursday. The Texas A&M Forest Service says there was no fire growth on Thursday, but warm weather and wind will return this weekend.

The weekend forecast and "sheer size and scope" of the blaze are the biggest challenges for firefighters, said Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

"I don’t want the community there to feel a false sense of security that all these fires will not grow anymore," Kidd said. "This is still a very dynamic situation."

Despite the widespread devastation, Kidd said it could have been much worse.

"We're not leaving here until the fire is out, and we're well onto the path of recovery, and we'll continue to support," Kidd said.

At least two people have died from the fire: 83-year-old Joyce Blankenship and Cindy Owens.

Blankenship was found dead inside her house in Stinnett. Owens was killed when she tried to drive her truck through the fire.

What were once vibrant neighborhoods in the Texas Panhandle have been reduced to rubble.

The fire has also destroyed at least 20 buildings in Hutchinson County.

Drone video of Stinnett showed several charred homes and areas in and around the town.

READ MORE: A Texas town was helpless to watch as the largest wildfire in state history engulfed it

Previously, the largest fire in recorded state history was the 2006 East Amarillo Complex fire, which burned about 1,400 square miles and resulted in 13 deaths.

Governor Greg Abbott visited the Panhandle on Friday to give an update. He said crews are worried about the wind this weekend as they try to contain this fire that’s destroyed hundreds of structures.

Multiple first responders were also injured as they fought back the flames. 

"Everybody needs to understand we face enormous potential fire dangers as we head into this weekend," Abbott said. "When you look at the damage that has occurred, it's just gone, completely gone. Nothing left but ashes on the ground."

"This is the most devastating wildfire by acreage in our state’s history," Kidd said. "But for those local first responders, it would have been bigger, and it would have been worse." 

Friday, crews made the most progress, racing against the clock to temper down the flames as gusty winds are expected to return this weekend.

"There are about 400 to 500 structures that have been destroyed," Abbott said. "There is no way to say that is going to be the final number."

READ MORE: How to help the Texas Panhandle wildfire victims

The governor said the fire could have been worse, but its impact has left multiple people without a home. 

"Had it not been for fearless firefighters who put their lives on the line, some of whom were injured in the line of duty, working tirelessly to beat back these damaging flames," he said. "The largest wildfire in the history of Texas. Cut a path so large it exceeds the size of some states in our country."

The situation is far from over, but Abbott credited local emergency management plans for being prepared for the response. 

He did say there will be things to learn from this fire for future responses, but the concern is on preserving human life and structures right now. 

"A lot of the people who lost a home had no insurance," he said. "So there are a lot of people in great need right now."

Gov. Abbott is working on getting a federal disaster declaration approved. He said that depends on meeting a certain amount of damages.

Abbott says 14 state agencies and 45 local agencies are assisting.

Some help is on the way from North Texas.

World Vision, which is the largest nonprofit in the world, is sending trucks filled with relief supplies.

"We're sending emergency supplies like water, diapers, coolers, hygiene kits and more to our church partner in the region," said Christa Carr, with World Vision.

Texas A&M Forest Service has brought in its incident management team.

"Personnel from all across the nation, so they have come in, they're going to manage the remainder of the Windy Deuce fire and the Smokehouse Creek fire," said Adam Turner, with the Texas A&M Forest Service.

That includes the service's director, who was at Friday’s news conference.

He says they're preparing for the weekend ahead, which could bring troublesome weather conditions.

"We have a number of resources on the ground to include aviation, equipment, and most importantly people," Al Davis said.

Vowing not to leave until the fire is contained and folks feel at ease.

"Continue to pray for our Panhandle. We can use it," Davis added.

Texans living in the Panhandle are being urged to heed the guidance from their local officials, limit activities that may cause sparks or flames, and keep emergency supplies easily accessible.

President Joe Biden, who was in Texas on Thursday to visit the U.S.-Mexico border, said he directed federal officials to do "everything possible" to assist fire-affected communities, including sending firefighters and equipment. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has guaranteed Texas and Oklahoma will be reimbursed for their emergency costs, the president said.

READ MORE: The largest wildfires in U.S. history

In addition to the Smokehouse Creek fire, the Grape Vine Creek Fire in Gray County has burned an estimated 30,000 acres and is 60 percent contained, the Windy Deuce Fire in Moore County has burned 142,000 acres and is 30 percent contained and the Magenta Fire in Oldham County has burned 2,500 acres and is 65 percent contained.

You can look at an interactive map of the wildfires from the Texas A&M Forest Service here.

Largest Fire in Texas History

The Smokehouse Creek fire in Hutchinson County is now the largest fire in Texas history, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

1. Smokehouse Creek (2024) - 1,078,086 acres
2. East Amarillo Complex (2006) - 907,245 acres
3. Big Country (1998), 366,000 acres
4. Perryton (2017), 318,156 acres
5. Rockhouse Fire (2011) 314,444 acres

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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