A group of wildfires raging in the Texas panhandle has burned more than 250,000 acres and prompted evacuation orders in multiple northern Texas communities.
No deaths or injuries have been reported so far, but not even 1% of the largest fire has been contained as of Tuesday evening, according to CNN.
Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties on Tuesday, warning residents to limit their activities that could spark a fire as the area faces hot, dry, and windy conditions that make fires spread faster.
“The State of Texas stands ready to provide support to our local partners and deploy all resources needed to protect our fellow Texans and their property,” the governor said in a statement. “Texans are urged to limit activities that could create sparks and take precautions to keep their loved ones safe.”
One resident of Canadian, Texas, where the largest fire, dubbed the “Smokehouse Creek Fire,” is burning, described the scene as looking like Armageddon.
“All the trees are covered in white ash,” said Melanie McQuiddy, who owns a small motel.
McQuiddy and her daughter Brooke reportedly evacuated, but Brooke said she had friends who were still stuck in the small town. The younger McQuiddy said her friends were ordered to shelter at the local high school.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire is the fifth largest fire in the state’s history and has burned more land than all of Texas’s fires in 2023 combined, according to Texas A&M Forest Service data. One house has been burned by the fire, according to Stinnett City Clerk Kellie Scherer.
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Apart from the Smokehouse Creek Fire, the smallest of the other three fires is 90% contained and only burned 2,963 acres. The other two are at 20% containment and have burned 8,000 and 30,000 acres, respectively.
This story is still developing — check back for updates.
