Smokehouse Creek Fire is now the largest wildfire in Texas history. Here are the biggest ever recorded

The Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned 850,000 acres in the Texas Panhandle

AMARILLO, Texas – The Smokehouse Creek Fire is now the largest wildfire to ever burn in the state of Texas.

Entering day four, the Smokehouse Creek Fire has consumed 850,000 acres in the Texas panhandle, according to data from the Texas A&M Forest Service.

The fire is responsible for one death, has destroyed dozens of homes, and is leaving thousands more without power. A nuclear weapons facility near the fire was forced to briefly evacuate its facility.

Currently, the fire is burning north of the Amarillo area. By Thursday morning, it became the largest wildfire in Texas history.

The #SmokehouseCreekFire in Hutchinson County is an estimated 1,075,000 acres and 3% contained. 1,050,000 acres have burned in Texas (Texas A&M forest service)

The largest wildfires in Texas history before 2024 are:

  1. East Amarillo Complex (March 2006) - 907,245 acres
  2. Big Country (March 1988) - 366,000 acres
  3. Perryton (March 2017) - 318,156 acres
  4. Rockhouse Fire (April 2011) - 314,444 acres
  5. Glass (February 2008) - 220,000 acres
  6. Deaton Cole Fire (April 2011) - 175,000 acres
  7. Cooper Mountain Ranch Fire (April 2011) - 162,525 acres
  8. Wildcat Fire (April 2011) - 158,308 acres
  9. Lefors East (March 2017) - 135,000 acres
  10. PK Complex (April 2011) - 126,734 acres

For a complete list of the largest wildfires in Texas history, visit the Texas A&M Forest Service resource.


About the Author

Gage Goulding is an award-winning TV news reporter and anchor. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, he comes to Texas from Fort Myers, FL, where he covered some of the areas most important stories, including Hurricane Ian.

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