Texas faces a severe threat as strong winds and dry weather conditions exacerbate the state’s largest wildfire in history. The fire, named Smokehouse Creek, has already claimed two lives in the southern United States and consumed approximately 436,200 hectares by Friday, with containment at only 15%. The wildfire, fueled by unusually warm winter temperatures and strong winds, poses a significant challenge to firefighting efforts.
The Texas Forest Service reported four active fires in the northern part of the state, particularly in the Panhandle region. Smokehouse Creek, initiated on Monday, merged with another blaze, aggravating the situation. After a brief respite from rain and snow on Thursday, firefighters are confronted with extremely dry grass and wind gusts reaching 64 km/h, making it conducive for the fire to spread rapidly.
Nim Kidd, the head of Texas’ Division of Emergency Management, warned of an “active weekend” due to worsening weather conditions. This wildfire surpasses the previous record-holder, the East Amarillo Complex in March 2006, which devoured 371,000 hectares.
Tragically, a 44-year-old woman succumbed to injuries after being rescued near her truck engulfed in Smokehouse Creek smoke. An 83-year-old woman was found dead in Stinnett, a city affected by the fire. Additionally, three firefighters sustained injuries but are recovering.
Governor Greg Abbott expressed difficulty in comprehending the extent of the damage, estimating that around 500 structures were destroyed. The Turkey Track Ranch, a century-old property, reported an 80% loss of its 32,000-hectare estate.
While Texas grapples with wildfires, California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range faced a massive snowstorm, accumulating up to three and a half meters of snow. The powerful winter storm, originating from the northwest Pacific, brings challenges like zero visibility due to fog and potential avalanches in rural areas.
Both incidents highlight the intensifying impact of climate change, causing more extreme and unpredictable weather patterns and leading to severe droughts, intense precipitation, and heightened natural disasters.