The Smokehouse Creek Fire is the largest fire on record for the state of Texas.
The Texas Panhandle has experienced raging wildfires since Monday afternoon. The Smokehouse Creek Fire, which has burned over 1 million acres in Texas, has spread to Oklahoma where it has burned more than 30,000 acres. This fire is reportedly only 3 percent contained as of Thursday.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office confirmed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant
Governor Abbott said Wednesday, “According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, high volume of dry, freeze cured grasses will continue to support fire spread today. As we approach the weekend, the fire environment will trend warmer and drier, resulting in the potential for additional wildfire activity across the Texas Panhandle this weekend.“
He continued, “Portions of South Texas continue to face increased wildfire risk, as well as East Texas, amid active burns. Additionally, the Texas A&M Forest Service raised the Wildland Fire Preparedness Level to Level 3 today due to an increase in current and expected wildfire activity over the next several days.”
Power outages are being experienced as one utility reported there are “approximately 115 miles of line to rebuild.” Four other wildfires are currently burning in the Texas panhandle, two of which are currently 60 or more percent contained.
Many homes have been destroyed and thousands of cattle have died due to the fires.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Governors Abbott and Stitt to be discerning as they coordinate agency efforts to contain and extinguish the wildfires.
- For wisdom for Administrator Deanne Criswell and FEMA officials as they oversee federal responses to natural disasters.
- For the safety of the people living in the region of the wildfires and for the first responders who are attempting to contain the fires.
Sources: CNN, DailyWire
