Authorities say the Smokehouse Creek fire grew Thursday to nearly 1,700 square miles of scorched rural ranchlands and destroyed homes. So far, two people have died
A wildfire spreading across the Texas Panhandle is now the largest in state history after merging with another blaze. At least two people have died.A dusting of snow covered a desolate landscape of scorched prairie, dead cattle, and burned-out homes in the Texas Panhandle on Thursday, giving firefighters brief relief in their desperate efforts to corral a blaze that has grown into the largest in state history.
The Smokehouse Creek fire's explosive growth slowed Thursday as snow fell and winds and temperatures dipped, but it was still untamed and threatening. It is the largest of several major fires burning in the rural Panhandle section of the state. It has also crossed into Oklahoma. "The rain and the snow beneficial right now. We're using it to our advantage," Texas A&M Forest Service spokesman Juan Rodriguez said of the Smokehouse Creek fire. "When the fire isn't blowing up and moving very fast, firefighters are able to actually catch up and get to those parts of the fire."
Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said the weekend forecast and "sheer size and scope" of the blaze are the biggest challenges for firefighters. The first person who died was identified by family members as Joyce Blankenship, a former substitute teacher. Her grandson, Lee Quesada, said he had posted in a community forum asking if anyone could try to locate her. Quesada said deputies told his uncle on Wednesday that they had found Blankenship's remains in her burned home.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Texas Panhandle wildfire turns deadly, now the largest in state historyThe Smokehouse Creek fire in the Texas Panhandle has now burned more than 1 million acres.
Read more »
Texas Panhandle wildfire grows to the second-largest in state historyThe Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County is now the second-largest wildfire in Texas history.
Read more »
Texas Panhandle wildfires merge, become largest in state history at over 1 million acresMultiple wildfires scorching the Texas Panhandle had merged as of Thursday morning, creating the largest wildfire in state history at more than one million...
Read more »
Evacuation order: Rapidly expanding wildfires in the Texas Panhandle prompt warningsRapidly expanding wildfires fueled by surging winds have prompted safety warnings for several towns and at least one evacuation order in the far northern Texas…
Read more »
Thousands ordered to shelter in place as wildfires engulf Texas PanhandleNearly 5,000 residents in the Panhandle cities of Canadian, Fritch and Glazier have been ordered to shelter in place as four separate wildfires burn more than 230,000 acres. Evacuation efforts were hindered as the main roadway was blocked by the fire.
Read more »
Supreme Court hearing over 'bump stocks' ban and Texas Panhandle wildfire: Morning RundownElizabeth Robinson is a newsletter editor for NBC News, based in Los Angeles.
Read more »