Monday satellite photographs show the devastation caused by a succession of wildfires in the Texas Panhandle, including the state's largest uncontained inferno.
Officials said two people died and 500 structures were burned in the fires, some of which started last week and were fanned by high heat and winds.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire, which started Feb. 26 and has spread to 1,076,638 acres, is the largest in state history. Monday it was 15% contained.
More accurate mapping contributed to the increase, and the Texas A&M Forest Service says the statistics could change. Thursday's Smokehouse Creek Fire was the largest in state history.
According to the state-run Texas A&M Forest Service, the greatest fire was the 2006 East Amarillo Fire, which covered 907,000 acres. The 144,000-acre Windy Deuce Fire in Moore County is another fire, officials said. Monday's containment was 55%. This week, temperatures will rise, but a cold front may bring rain on Friday, according to the Amarillo National Weather Service. In an update Monday, the Texas A&M Forest Service said grass moisture has improved, making firefighting simpler.
"Overall, burn conditions are markedly improved from yesterday’s weather and the ability to fight fire on the ground is greatly enhanced," it stated. The flames prompted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to declare a disaster and request FEMA relief.
President Joe Biden announced late last week that FEMA will compensate Texas and Oklahoma for firefighting. Over 100 federal firefighters and 500 federal officials have helped in Texas, “and more are on the way,” Biden said Friday in Brownsville. Aircraft and other equipment were provided.
We support everyone harmed by wildfires. We'll help you respond and recover "Biden stated. Abbott declared a catastrophe last week in 60 of the state's 254 counties, or 25%. More counties could be added, he said. Monday's briefing from Abbott termed the wildfires a crisis and the state's top priority.
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