2024 Texas wildfires
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| 2024 Texas wildfires | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Smokehouse Creek Fire | |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 2 |
| Season | |
2025 → | |
The 2024 Texas wildfires was a series of wildfires that burned throughout the U.S. state of Texas during 2024.
While "fire season" varies every year in Texas, most wildfires occur in between February and April. However, there is an increasing fire danger all year-round. Fire conditions can be exacerbated by drought, strong winds, La Niña, and vegetation growth. Climate change is leading to increased temperatures, lower humidity levels, and drought conditions that are happening more often.[1]
Summary
The 2024 Texas wildfires were marked by several major fires, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Texas panhandle and part of Oklahoma.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire burned an estimated 1,058,482 acres (1,653.878 mi2; 428,352 ha) in Texas and Oklahoma and was completely contained on March 16,[2] becoming the second largest fire in US history dating back to 1988. It started on Monday, February 26, one mile north of Stinnett in Hutchinson County, Texas.
Other fires include the Windy Deuce Fire, which also started on February 26. As of March 3, it has burned 144,206 acres (225.322 mi2; 58,358 ha), including a portion of Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, and it is 100% contained.[3]
In addition, the Grape Vine Creek Fire started 9.5 miles south of Lefors in Gray County, Texas on the same day, burning an estimated 34,882 acres (54.503 mi2; 14,116 ha) with 100% containment.[4][5][6][7]
List of wildfires
The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), or produced significant structural damage or casualties.
| Name | County | Acres | Start date | Containment date[a] | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North CIG | Moore | 4,012 | February 24 | February 25 | [9] | |
| Smokehouse Creek | Hemphill & Roberts | 1,058,482 | February 26 | March 16 | Two fatalities; largest wildfire in Texas history, second largest in U.S history | |
| Windy Deuce | Potter, Carson, Moore, Hutchinson | 144,206 | February 26 | March 3 | [10] | |
| Grape Vine Creek | Gray | 34,883 | February 26 | March 10 | [11] | |
| Juliet Pass | Armstrong | 2,963 | February 26 | February 27 | [12] | |
| Magenta | Oldham | 3,297 | February 27 | March 5 | [13] | |
| Mile Marker 32 | Kenedy | 1,424 | April 19 | April 24 | [14] | |
| Laguna 24 | Kleberg | 12,385 | May 11 | May 18 | [15] | |
| Hackberry Canyon | Potter | 1,088 | May 14 | May 25 | [16] | |
| Cattail 24 | Kleberg | 1,620 | May 26 | May 30 | [17] | |
| West AER Motor | Cottle | 1,761 | July 31 | August 2 | [18] | |
| Paint Crossing | Throckmorton | 2,263 | August 7 | August 12 | [19] | |
| Robertson | Stephens | 1,610 | August 12 | August 14 | [20] | |
| Creek 232 | Throckmorton | 1,241 | August 13 | August 14 | [21] | |
| Midway Pasture | Wilbarger | 1,147 | August 15 | August 16 | [22] | |
| Red Creek | Haskell | 2,778 | August 16 | August 17 | [23] | |
| Dirt Road | King | 1,524 | August 16 | August 20 | [24] | |
| Peter Switch | Wichita | 1,658 | August 18 | August 19 | [25] | |
| North Art Complex | Mason | 4,355 | August 22 | August 25 | [26] |
Aftermath
At least two people died as a result of the fires[27] and at least 7,000 cattle have died.[28] Panhandle ranchers and farmers are seeking government assistance to recover from their losses.[29][30] Volunteer organizations are assisting in the recovery efforts.[29][31]
Following the fires, conspiracy theories spread stating that the fires were started by directed energy weapons which were ineffective against or deliberately did not target houses with blue roofs.[32][33][34]
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the largest wildfire, with attention on a downed Xcel Energy Co. power line near Stinnett as a potential ignition source. Lawsuits have been filed against Xcel Energy for alleged negligence leading to the fires.[30]
