The Smokehouse Creek Fire, raging across the Texas Panhandle and parts of Oklahoma, now covers an astounding 1.1 million acres. This colossal inferno has etched its name into the annals of Texas history as the largest fire ever recorded in the state. Its sheer magnitude is such that it can be discerned from space.
The Smokehouse Creek wildfire in Texas, which now covers more than 1 million acres, is so big that you can see it from space https://t.co/kyIC64NbJu
— Bloomberg (@business) February 29, 2024
The imagery depicting the thermal hotspots associated with the Smokehouse Creek Fire employs a technique known as false color visualization.
The image you’re referring to showcases portions of the infrared spectrum, specifically highlighting areas sensitive to fire activity. This remarkable capture was taken by GOES-16, a satellite that diligently orbits approximately 22,000 miles (36,000 kilometers) above the Earth’s surface.
#BIGTEX: Everything is bigger in Texas, including wildfires: "SO BIG YOU CAN SEE IT FROM SPACE…"https://t.co/2soS3Fs7oL
— Outrage PNW (@OutragePNW) March 1, 2024
On the ground, firefighters are racing against time to gain control over the rapidly spreading inferno that ignited in Hutchinson County on February 26. The Smokehouse Creek Fire has surged in size due to a perfect storm of conditions, low relative humidity, dry vegetation (including trees and grass), and powerful winds. Sean Dugan, a Texas A&M Forest Service public information officer, succinctly describes this combination as a “goldilocks collection” that fueled the fire’s rapid growth.
Despite some relief from Thursday’s precipitation, which helped temporarily calm the flames, the fire remains alarmingly uncontained at just 3%. The looming concern is that upcoming windy conditions could exacerbate the situation, propagating the fire and potentially igniting new blazes in the area.
The fire’s origins are under investigation, and authorities are closely examining the area where it may have ignitedXcel Energy Inc. has been instructed to preserve a fallen utility pole near the suspected ignition point as potential evidence.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire has ravaged over 1 million acres in Texas and an additional 25,000 acres in Oklahoma. Tragically, at least one person has lost their life, and an unknown number of homes have been destroyed.
The impact on livestock has been devastating, with tens of thousands of cattle suspected to have perished. Notably, the Texas Panhandle houses approximately 85% of the state’s entire cattle population, as reported by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
The East Amarillo Complex fire of 2006 holds the distinction of being the previous largest fire in Texas. It consumed an extensive 907,245 acres of land, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
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