Texas Wildfire: One Dead, Thousands Evacuated
By Phil McCausland
BBC News
28 February 2024
Updated 10 minutes ago
A devastating wildfire in Texas has claimed the life of one person, forced the evacuation of residents, cut off power to homes and businesses, and temporarily halted operations at a nuclear weapons facility.
The rapidly spreading blaze has scorched 1.1 million acres of land north of Amarillo, making it the second-largest fire in US history. Governor Greg Abbott has declared a disaster in 60 counties as dry grass, high temperatures, and strong winds continue to fuel the inferno.
In one of the hardest-hit areas, Hutchinson County, an 83-year-old woman named Joyce Blankenship tragically lost her life in the blaze. The Smokehouse Creek Fire, as it has been named, has already consumed an area larger than the state of Rhode Island.
The West Odessa Fire Department declared it the largest and most destructive fire in Texas history, surpassing the East Amarillo Complex fire of 2006. Additionally, it now ranks as the second largest wildfire in US history.
Despite slightly diminished winds, the fire remains only 3% contained, with rain forecasted to aid firefighting efforts. Governor Abbott has deployed hundreds of firefighters and first responders, along with additional state resources, to combat the flames.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings for poor air quality near Amarillo, advising residents to stay indoors with their pets. The impact on agriculture and livestock in the region, where over 85% of Texas cattle are raised, is also a major concern.
Furthermore, concerns about the fire spreading towards the Pantex nuclear weapons site in Amarillo led to a temporary closure and evacuation. The facility reopened as the fire did not reach the plant site, and emergency response teams are on alert.
The Texas A&M Forest Service is also tackling wildfires in other parts of the state, with neighboring states experiencing similar blazes due to unexpected high temperatures.
As efforts continue to contain the Texas wildfire and protect lives and property, the community rallies together to face this challenging natural disaster head-on.