Texas is battling an ongoing and record-breaking set of wildfires that has already burned over 1 million acres and killed two people. The most destructive of them, the Smokehouse Creek fire, has seriously damaged communities and cattle ranches in northeastern Texas and western Oklahoma. After a week of battling flames, there are still several active wildfires in the Texas Panhandle and they remain largely uncontained.
Smoke from the Smokehouse Creek fire billowing over a road
Smoke billows over a road during the Smokehouse Creek fire on February 27, 2024 in the Texas panhandle. (Photo by Texas A&M Forest Service via Getty Images)
Fire crosses a road in the Texas Panhandle
Fire crosses a road in the Smokehouse Creek fire on the evening of February 27, 2024 in the Texas panhandle. (Photo by Texas A&M Forest Service via Getty Images)
Smoke rises as workers try to contain a fire in Armstrong County
Smoke rises as heavy equipment works to contain the Juliet Pass fire in Armstrong County, Texas on February 27, 2024. (Photo by Texas A&M Forest Service/Anadolu via Getty Images)
A fire truck driving towards the Smokehouse Creek fire
A fire truck driving towards the Smokehouse Creek fire in the Texas panhandle region on February 29, 2024. Texas issued a disaster declaration as massive wildfires continued to burn out of control, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Many roads and highways in the region have been shut down due to smoke, which is causing close to zero visibility. (Photo by Greenville Firefighter Association/ Handout /Anadolu via Getty Images)
A fast-moving wildfire in the Texas Panhandle
A fast-moving wildfire burning through the Texas Panhandle region on February 29, 2024. (Photo by Greenville Firefighter Association/ Handout /Anadolu via Getty Images)
Flames approaching structures near Sanford, Texas
Firefighters battle flames from the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 3, 2024 near Sanford, Texas. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Firefighters battle the Smokehouse Creek fire
Firefighters battle flames from the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 3, 2024 near Sanford, Texas. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
A small island of grass for grazing in the aftermath of a fire
An aerial view shows cattle grazing on a small island of grass surrounded by a burned landscape in the aftermath of the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 3, 2024 near Pampa, Texas. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Cattle grazing on small islands of hay in a burned pasture
An aerial view shows cattle grazing on small islands of hay surrounded by pastureland burned by the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 4, 2024 near Canadian, Texas. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Remains of a burnt residence in Stinnett, Texas
A view of burnt area after a wildfire in Stinnett, Texas on March 1, 2024. (Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Looking through debris of a garage destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek fire
Vernon Jones helps his wife Melissa clean debris from her father’s property after a garage and carport were destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 3, 2024 near Stinnett, Texas. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Residents search for items in the remains of their home
Tia Champion and her husband Tim help Angie Hodges (L) search for items in the remains of her home after it was destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 3, 2024 in Stinnett, Texas. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Charred landscape as far as the eye can see near Fritch, Texas
A charred landscape stretches out for thousands of acres in the aftermath of the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 2, 2024 near Fritch, Texas. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
