Satellite images show devastation of Texas wildfires
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Satellite images released Monday show the devastation wrought by a series of wildfires in the Texas Panhandle, including that of the largest wildfire in state history, which is still largely uncontained.
Two people have died and an estimated 500 structures have been destroyed in the fires, some of which broke out last week and were fueled by high temperatures and winds, officials said.
The largest fire in state records is among the blazes: the so-called Smokehouse Creek Fire, which began Feb. 26 and has grown to around 1,076,638 acres. It was 15% contained Monday.
Some of the increase was due to more accurate mapping, and the numbers could change, the Texas A&M Forest Service has said.
Aerial views of homes, in southern Fritch, Texas, before and after the fires.Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies
The Smokehouse Creek Fire became the largest in state history Thursday.
The largest before had been the East Amarillo Fire of 2006, which was around 907,000 acres, according to statistics from the Texas A&M Forest Service, which is a state agency.
Among the other fires currently burning is the Windy Deuce Fire in Moore County, which is around 144,000 acres, officials said. It was 55% contained Monday.
The Grape Vine Creek Fire in Gray County was 34,882 acres and 60% contained.
Temperatures in the region were forecast to increase this week, but then a cold front is likely to bring a chance of precipitation starting Friday, the National Weather Service in Amarillo said.
The moisture in the grass has increased, the Texas A&M Forest Service said in an update Monday, meaning it will be easier to fight the fires.
"Overall, burn conditions are markedly improved from yesterday's weather and the ability to fight fire on the ground is greatly enhanced," the agency said.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration because of the fires, and a request for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been approved.
President Joe Biden said late last week that FEMA will guarantee that Texas, as well Oklahoma, will be reimbursed for firefighting efforts.
Federal help has included 500 federal personnel in Texas, including over 100 federal firefighters, "and more are on the way," Biden said Friday in Brownsville. Aircraft and other equipment have also been sent.
An aerial view of Canadian, Texas.Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies
"We're standing with everyone — everyone affected by these wildfires. And we're going to continue to help you respond and recover," Biden said then.
Abbott's disaster declaration last week covers 60 of the state's 254 counties, or around one-quarter of them. More counties could be added, he said.
Abbott called the wildfires a crisis in an update Monday and said they were the state's top priority.
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Could it be the Wrath of God - a retribution?
Nope God has nothing to do with it..though I have no doubt some stupid people would wish it..
Just Mother Nature at her worst as we all know and see here every year..and over there...
No different to my State of Victoria here last week when she went up...as we battled temperatures of 45oC and winds from the Inland hitting 80km..
It happens, it's nature and as always we just get on with it...
Yes, Mother Nature at her worst, but could humans have been involved at any point? By the way, there are some very famous people who consider Mother Nature to be God.
If they could figure a way to shoot the fire, I'm sure it would be long gone by now.
I have actually seen that used many times. Orchestrated it once in Germany.
Isn't that fighting fire with fir-ing? Maybe it would work if they used water cannons - Texas is bound to allow people to walk around with them cause they're probably protected by The Second Amendment.
According to MAGA, you cannot fight fire with water...
Sorry, I'm unable to open YouTube.
Too bad, the stupidity on display is a sight to behold.
So hey governor Abbott, how do you feel about that hoax anthropogenic global warming thingy now?
Yeah I am sure it was a case of spontaneous combustion......................./S
Come on man, everything is global warming or fascists.
Only the bad things.
I drive thru this area at least twice a year. it's hard to believe that mother nature could make it even less visually spectacular... /s
I was reading an article last night saying that some 26% of people in the effected area don't carry homeowners insurance. Also look for the price of beef to go up.
It looks like the two major fires were caused by downed power lines. XL Energy has released a statement telling anyone that has property or cattle loss to send claims to directly to them.
Wyoming's had a couple of these the past couple weeks along the east-west I-80 corridor shutting down the highway.
I expect more as the weather changes seasons going forth into the year.
Socialist.