A massive wildfire that has burned more than 500,000 acres of land in the Texas Panhandle is still raging out of control, forcing evacuations, power outages, and the temporary closure of a nuclear weapons facility.
The second-largest fire in Texas history
The fire, dubbed the Smokehouse Creek Fire, started on Monday and quickly spread across the dry grasslands and ranches north of Amarillo, the largest city in the region. It is now the second-largest wildfire in Texas history, behind the East Amarillo Complex fire that burned over 900,000 acres in 2006.
The fire is being driven by strong winds, high temperatures, and low humidity, creating a perfect storm for fire growth and behavior. The Texas A&M Forest Service said the fire was zero percent contained as of Wednesday morning, and that the winds had diminished slightly, but were still a challenge for firefighters.
The fire has destroyed several structures, including homes and barns, and threatened many more. It has also caused widespread power outages, affecting more than 10,000 customers in the area. The fire has also impacted the air quality, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a health alert for residents to stay indoors and avoid breathing the smoke.
Evacuations and disaster declaration
The fire has forced the evacuation of several towns and communities, including Fritch, Sanford, Borger, and Stinnett. Some residents have been allowed to return to their homes, while others are still waiting for the fire to subside. The Red Cross has set up shelters and provided assistance to the evacuees.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties affected by the fire and other wildfires in the state. He also urged Texans to limit activities that could create sparks and take precautions to keep their loved ones safe.
“I urge all Texans to heed the guidance from local officials and stay alert to the fire danger in their area,” he said in a statement. “The State of Texas is working closely with local and federal partners to ensure that the necessary resources and support are available to respond to these wildfires and keep our communities safe.”
Nuclear plant shuts down temporarily
One of the most alarming aspects of the fire was its proximity to the Pantex nuclear weapons plant, a key site for the assembly, dismantlement, and maintenance of US nuclear weapons. The plant, located about 17 miles northeast of Amarillo, shut down and evacuated its staff on Tuesday night as a precautionary measure.
The plant said on Facebook that it reopened on Wednesday morning, as there was no fire within the plant site. It also said that there was no threat to the safety or security of the plant or its employees.
Laef Pendergraft, a nuclear safety engineer at the National Nuclear Security Administration production office at Pantex, told a news conference on Tuesday night that an emergency response team had been activated. He added that the plant’s own fire department “has trained for these scenarios and is on-site watching and ready”.
Hope for rain and relief
As the fire continues to burn, the residents and firefighters are hoping for some relief from the weather. The forecast for Thursday shows a chance of rain and thunderstorms in the northern panhandle, which could help dampen the fire and reduce its spread.
However, the rain could also bring some risks, such as lightning strikes, flash floods, and mudslides. The fire service said it was monitoring the weather conditions and adjusting its strategies accordingly.
The fire is one of several wildfires that have erupted in Texas and nearby states, such as Nebraska and Kansas, due to the unseasonably warm and dry conditions. The Copernicus Climate Change Service, the European Union’s climate agency, said that February 2024 was the second-warmest February on record globally, and that the US experienced above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation.
