The Texas Panhandle has been ravaged by devastating wildfires, including the Smokehouse Creek fire, now recorded as the state's largest wildfire, covering an estimated 1,058,482 acres and 87 percent contained. Officials have attributed the cause of these fires to power lines igniting in dry conditions. The fires have resulted in the destruction of homes, the death of thousands of livestock, and at least two human fatalities. Xcel Energy, the utility provider implicated in causing the Smokehouse Creek Fire, disputes claims of negligence. Investigations revealed a decayed utility pole owned by Xcel Energy as the ignition point. The Texas A&M Forest Service has confirmed these findings. The wildfires have prompted Texas Governor Greg Abbott to request federal assistance for damage assessments and urge Texans to report damages. The fires, exacerbated by climate change, represent a growing challenge not just for Texas but also for other states across the western US, highlighting the need for utilities to prepare for extreme weather and the broader implications for agriculture, insurance markets, and legal liabilities.
If you or someone you know has been impacted by the recent Panhandle #wildfires, know that help is available. Reach out to 2-1-1 Texas for access to resources. For more information, visit: https://t.co/uOd1vYv5HC https://t.co/I5WhVnT7mH
Xcel Energy will likely be wrangling for years with the legal fallout from the wildfires burning through the Texas Panhandle. https://t.co/jUJ6ZiOPJz
The biggest wildfire in Texas history highlights cattle ranchers’ challenges — and could push beef prices higher for consumers https://t.co/owpnqWV767
Texas requires utilities to plan for emergencies. That didn’t stop the Panhandle wildfires. https://t.co/GVz1tsdjLO
The largest wildfire in Texas state history was caused by a power line after a pole that “appeared to be decayed at the base” fell into a grassy area, a Texas A&M Forest Service investigator concluded. https://t.co/XU5tGe91dd
Texas fires burn as much land in week as thousands did in years https://t.co/I3fRaSZVTk via @YahooNews #ClimateMatters
A wooden utility pole owned by Xcel Energy that toppled during high winds and sparked the worst wildfire in Texas history appeared to be decayed at its base where it broke and fell over, a Texas A&M Forest Service investigative report found https://t.co/uY954ZhhGP
We took a deeper look at the Panhandle wildfires and their long-term impacts. We talked with community leaders about the fires, how we can prepare for other disasters and how Texans can support impacted communities. Watch the conversation: https://t.co/dFiMcqBSJd https://t.co/NCfdvXxe01
The Texas A&M Forest Service said its investigators have concluded that the Smokehouse Creek fire was ignited by power lines, as was the nearby Windy Deuce fire. https://t.co/Gbv704KgUu
As the Smokehouse Creek Fire continues to impact Texas, Wayne-Sanderson Farms' Bryan Processing Complex is assisting families and first responders: https://t.co/t4lq3BW31E #fox44tx
#UPDATE The Smokehouse Creek Fire is an estimated 1,058,482 acres and is 87 percent contained: https://t.co/I9UPELkxGi #fox44tx
A series of Texas wildfires including one estimated to be the worst in the state's history are underscoring the increasing risk of severe natural catastrophes to underinsured populations and insurance markets already under stress. https://t.co/8ZY0dl8gO1
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 🇨🇦 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Fires are over-wintering in Canada ! https://t.co/7ra5iJ7JgO https://t.co/xPXwtMCl54
To help those hit by Texas Panhandle fires, a fellow rancher needs all the help he can get https://t.co/idpmRSjPsw
Texas officials blamed the state’s largest-ever fire on electrical lines sparking in dry brush. https://t.co/4fwbQAWpNZ
Texas mandates utilities to prep for emergencies, but that didn’t stop the Panhandle fires. Experts stress the need for utilities to forecast extreme weather, which could be a challenge in a state where climate change discussions are taboo. https://t.co/VlsCo9tC69
North Texas rancher adopts calf from the ashes of the Texas wildfires https://t.co/K3BVKOLZk8
On Monday, I visited the town of Fritch in the Panhandle. It’s a town of 1,800 residents who are no strangers to hard times. They’ve dealt with a tornado a mile wide and other natural disasters. For the past week and a half, Fritch has been dealing with another disastrous fire.… https://t.co/6Ne0gVNMJ9
More than 150 fires are smoldering in parts of western Canada while firefighters in Texas are battling the largest wildfire in the state’s history — blazes that follow a pattern in recent years of wildfire seasons kicking off earlier than expected. https://t.co/jK20NOQpf1
Texas Panhandle wildfire: Utility provider may have caused Smokehouse Creek Fire https://t.co/IVgDiHOung
North Texans helping homeowners impacted by Panhandle wildfires https://t.co/e38e1xt5vd
The Texas Panhandle wildfires are taking a significant toll on the region's agricultural industry. https://t.co/vFxsborkgj
Power lines ignited massive wildfires across the Texas Panhandle that killed at least two people, destroyed homes and livestock, and left a charred landscape, officials said Thursday, including the largest blaze in state history. https://t.co/u6kZy1IjRb
Wildfires blamed on power lines, once considered a California problem, have hit Texas, Hawaii and states across the western US -- > from @markchediak @willwwade & @DavidBakerSF for @business https://t.co/a3bj9zXTGx via @climate
Utility provider Xcel Energy disputes claims of negligence in maintaining and operating infrastructure. https://t.co/81dNyiB6ao https://t.co/81dNyiB6ao
Wildfires blamed on power lines, once considered a California problem, have hit Texas, Hawaii and states across the western US https://t.co/DL2mSEXl5k
The Smokehouse Creek Fire burning in Texas has already become one of the top 5 largest wildfires in US history. Here's a look at even larger fires that have burned across the country: https://t.co/OLOJ4yFqIo https://t.co/yylj2kRPMd
How climate change primed Texas to burn: https://t.co/Sn28kX2VfI @grist #ClimateMatters
Requested @SBAgov to join Texas officials to begin preliminary damage assessments in areas affected by wildfires. All Texans who have been, or continue to be, impacted by these wildfires are urged to self-report damages through @TDEM’s iSTAT survey. https://t.co/b1rH3hiK4A https://t.co/qEAXPckokg
I requested @SBAgov to join Texas officials to begin preliminary damage assessments in areas impacted by wildfires. Texans are urged to report any damages through @TDEM’s iSTAT survey. Together, we will ensure impacted Texans have what they need to rebuild & recover. https://t.co/miKPCaFi1r
‘Net zero’ utility @xcelenergy involved in starting the largest fire in recent Texas history. Not emissions. Distracted and incompetent corporate management. https://t.co/LWDrSuK0g6
NEW: US power company admits it might have started huge Texas fire https://t.co/g2T9q2a837
Power lines ignited massive wildfires across the Texas Panhandle that destroyed homes and killed thousands of livestock, officials said Thursday. https://t.co/raByB6TspS
.@NOAA satellites have been closely monitoring devastating #wildfires that have scorched much of the Texas Panhandle. One of these—the #SmokehouseCreek fire—became the state's largest wildfire on record. Learn more in this week's #EarthFromOrbit video: https://t.co/cbeV8hXpXY https://t.co/IVy3TuigFD