DALLAS — One year ago this week, the Smokehouse Creek Fire erupted in the Texas Panhandle, becoming the largest wildfire in Texas recorded history, which goes back to 1988.
The fire, which began on February 26, 2024, burned more than 1 million acres across Hutchinson, Roberts, Hemphill, Carson, Wheeler and Gray counties before it was fully contained. It took more than three weeks to fully contain the Smokehouse Creek Fire.
Along the way, homes were destroyed, and countless livestock and wildlife were lost. This fire also contributed to extremely hazardous air quality for parts of Texas as smoke drifted due to high winds. This was just one of a series of fires that started in the Panhandle in the span of a few days.
What caused the Smokehouse Creek Fire?
An investigation determined that power line equipment failure sparked the fire. A decayed utility pole broke and caused power wires to fall on dry grass. Once ignited, dry vegetation, high winds, and unseasonably warm temperatures created the perfect conditions for the flames to spread quickly and become difficult to control.
When is Texas Wildfire Season?
Texas doesn’t have a single wildfire season. Wildfires can happen at any time of the year, but they are more common during the winter and during the late summer/early fall. The winter months are some of our driest. The cold, dry air tends to dry out vegetation. Dry cold fronts are also common. These systems are known to bring high winds and lower humidity. In the late summer, the threat for wildfires also increases as higher heat settles in. This is especially true if the region has an extended rain-free period.
Preparing for the Future
The anniversary serves as a sobering reminder that wildfires are not just a rural problem – we witnessed the destruction that wildfires caused in southern California just this year.
Simple steps, like respecting burn bans, avoiding outdoor burning on windy days, and not parking on tall, dry grass can go a long way. Most wildfires are caused by humans, which means most wildfires can be prevented.