The lawsuit alleges Minnesota-based Xcel Energy failed to maintain utility poles that started the 2024 Panhandle fire that killed three people and thousands of livestock.

A package of bills aims to better prepare the state to prevent and fight wildfires.

Residents of Montgomery and San Jacinto Counties, as wildfires continue to burn, it's crucial to be aware of the potential health impacts of wildfire smoke.

As fire crews are using all necessary resources to battle a wildfire in Montgomery and San Jacinto counties, the Houston Fire Department is combating a wildfire in north Houston on Friday.

In the past, we’ve used the DC-10 air tanker to battle major fires, so one viewer asked KPRC 2 Chief Meteorologist Anthony Yanez why it wasn't used during the Pauline Road Fire. Here's what he had to say:

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the state’s request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Pauline Road Fire in San Jacinto and Montgomery counties.

A proposal to create a statewide system connecting emergency personnel and agencies is among several bills that target problems exposed in 2024.

When wildfires spark up, it doesn’t take much to turn them from a small burn into a raging inferno.

A small town with just 16 residents is under mandatory evacuation as a massive wildfire rages, engulfing over 1,000 acres.

The Houston Fire Department is preparing for a possible wildfire outbreak in all areas along and west of I-45. However, some fire danger exists as far east as the I-45 corridor, following a Red Flag Warning issued on Tuesday.

Our travel guy Gabe Saglie joins us from Los Angeles on why this spring is a great time to visit. Gabe grew up in Pacific Palisades, one of the areas devastated by last month's wildfires and shared more on how traveling to Los Angeles can help the residents there recover.

The Panhandle town of Canadian is determined to move beyond the deadly fire. And yet, they are reminded almost daily another catastrophe is possible.

Is it just me? Or the first month of 2025 feels like it’s been an entire year?

A University of Houston (UH) student, Aidin Judd, is facing the emotional aftermath of his family’s devastating loss in the ongoing wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles.

Thursday evening, Houston Fire Department wildland firefighters who are deployed in Southern California held a brief online call to discuss their experiences fighting the fires in the area. HFD Senior Capt. A.J. Castillo was joined by engineer operators Jonathan Williams, Chris Mixon and Travis Hobbs.

Here's how you can make a difference for those impacted by the devastating California wildfires.Houston rapper and philanthropist Trae Tha Truth and his ReliefGang had boots on the ground this week helping out the hardest hit areas. He's continuing the mission right here in Houston with local organizations, watch the player above to see how you can join the effort and learn more about a recent family scare involving his daughter, Truth.

As firefighters struggle to gain control of massive and deadly wildfires that are raging across parts of the Los Angeles area, the region is once again bracing for the potential of new fires and for current ones to intensify as a new storm system heads for the state.

On Instagram, the BeyGOOD Foundation said it would be making a donation to the LA Fire Relief Fund to assist families impacted by the wildfires and ensure funds go to churches as well as other community organizations.

The Houston Texans have announced a $1 million pledge to support relief efforts for communities affected by the wildfires in southern California.

If you’re like KPRC 2 Chief Meteorologist Anthony Yanez, you probably know someone who lives (or has lived themselves) near those fires, it feels so personal when you do.

A series of devastating wildfires are ravaging the Los Angeles area, particularly impacting the Hollywood Hills, leading to widespread destruction and displacement of families.

The Palisades, Hurst, Woodley and Eaton fires continues to burn homes, cars, and businesses. Today, the destructive fire is moving through Southern California, threatening lives.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that he is sending state-issued firefighting resources across Texas to combat increased wildfire threats. The announcement was made in a media release Wednesday.

No state agency is taking responsibility for making sure the privately built lines that power many oil and gas sites are safe. Such lines have been blamed for sparking two recent Panhandle fires.

Texas emergency officials have already prepared more than 100 firefighters, emergency personnel, and over 25 fire engines, command vehicles, and equipment to send as the state battles ongoing wildfires in northern California.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has called for Wildfire Search and Rescue Support units to go to New Mexico as the area deals with wildfires that have claimed two lives.

The Republican senator and congressman introduced a bill that would expand a federal aid program to pay ranchers when pregnant cattle are killed in disasters.

Federal officials said the nation’s milk supply should be not at risk after a bird flu outbreak hits dairies in Texas, New Mexico and Kansas.

Texas A&M Forest Service is on alert as weather conditions could produce large wildfires as critical weather conditions threaten the Panhandle and Southwest Texas.

A series of deadly wildfires have burned for nearly three weeks, destroying farms and ranches in several counties.

As ranchers recover from the Smokehouse Creek fire, they face the agonizing choice of what to do with an unknown number of injured cattle.

As crews fight to keep deadly blazes under control, weather conditions could increase risk of more fires.

Hemphill County Judge Lisa Johnson said the region has been overwhelmed with the response of support, but work remains.

Experts say utilities need to be ready for extreme weather, which could be a challenge in a state where discussing climate change is often taboo.

Ranchers have likely lost thousands of cattle in the wildfires, according to some preliminary estimates.

Authorities say a Texas fire chief whose small town was among the hardest hit last week by historic blazes sweeping across the Panhandle died Tuesday while fighting a structure fire.

Rural Texans are more than twice as likely to go without homeowners insurance than their urban peers.

The full scope of damage still isn’t known, but some Panhandle residents have returned home. Firefighters continue battling the infernos.

The fire that engulfed their town was only 15% contained over the weekend, but Canadian residents were back to selling flowers and preparing for an election.

As officials try to determine a cause for the wildfires, a Canadian homeowner filed a lawsuit blaming an energy company for the destruction. And more are expected.

As several wildfires continue to burn in the Texas Panhandle, many people have the same question: Why aren’t firefighters using planes and helicopters?

A firefighter in the Texas Panhandle came home to find his house engulfed in flames by the same fire he’s fighting.

As firefighters work on their fifth straight day of trying to put out wildfires burning in the Texas Panhandle, the race is on to beat a weather forecast that favors wildfires burning uncontrollably.

Shaken by the devastation, families find comfort in each other as they pick through the rubble and commune at a church in nearby Borger.

Texas wildfires have consumed acres of agricultural land, killing thousands of livestock, destroying crops and exacerbating challenges lingering from last year’s drought.

Get the latest updates as firefighters continue battling massive fires that have burned more than 1 million acres.

Texas has a wildfire season in winter, but climate change is extending it, scientists say.

The largest wildfire ever to burn in the State of Texas continues its path of destruction across the Texas Panhandle.

As the largest wildfire in Texas history continues to rage in the panhandle, hundreds of firefighters are rushing to help put out the flames.

As firefighters work to put out the largest wildfire in Texas history, here’s a guide to fire weather watches, safety tips and how to find organizations collecting donations to directly help local residents, including farmers and ranchers.

As the largest wildfire in Texas history continues to burn, firefighters from across the state, including SE Texas, are on the front lines of the battle to keep homes from burning.

The fires have left at least two people dead and four injured firefighters. Cattle have been lost and homes and businesses decimated in their wake.

Flames continue to burn through the Texas Panhandle. The Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned over a million acres, the largest recorded fire in Texas history.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire is already the second largest wildfire to ever burn in the state of Texas. By the end of Thursday, it could be the largest ever recorded.

Over 850,000 acres have gone up in flames in the Smokehouse Creek Wildfire.To give some perspective, that’s twice the size of Houston.

"Please spare a prayer for their safety and safe return home to Houston"

60 counties affected

Natural disasters — including winter storms, hurricanes, extreme heat, wildfires and droughts — can happen at any time. Preparation is key to staying safe during an emergency.

Born and bred in Texas, I've built a second home on the island of Maui. This week, I traveled back there for the first time since the deadly Lahaina wildfire on Aug. 8, 2023.

As the state’s wildfire season continues, rural fire departments and their volunteers are strained to keep up with hundreds of fires.

Some residents are being asked to evacuate from their homes in the Cleveland area on Tuesday due to a 97-acre wildfire, city officials said.

A total of 850 people are missing in connection with the deadly wildfires that devastated Maui earlier this month, the county’s mayor announced.

One of the many abandoned cars near the shoreline of the Hawaiian island of Maui exploded, shaking the earth and blanketing the dozens of people bobbing in the ocean with a brief blast of heat.

The death toll has climbed to more than 100, and the photos below chronicle just how devastating the damage has been, particularly in the town of Lahaina.

For decades, Spam has been a staple in Hawaiian cooking, a phenomenon dating back to its introduction during World War II.

At least 8,500 acres of Texas land have burned since Aug. 1. The governor’s disaster declaration allows included counties to access state resources to fight wildfires.

Houstonians are known for giving back to communities who need help after a disaster. Brian Ching owns Pitch 25 in downtown Houston, and he wanted to raise money for those affected by the devastating wildfires in Maui.

Deadly wildfires burning across Maui have killed at least 36 people and prompted evacuations for residents in the area. Officials described the wildfires as “unprecedented.”

The number of acres burned this year is dramatically lower compared to 2022. But a rash of new fires have put state and local officials on edge.

Texas A&M Forest Service has raised the State Wildfire Preparedness level to Level 4 due to the recent increase in wildfire activity across the state and the growing potential for wildfires to become more severe, making them harder to control.

New York City and other surrounding areas are preparing for another day of bad air Thursday as smoke continues to spread from Canadian wildfires, NBC News reported.

A pilot is injured after a plane crashed in Lake Livingston Tuesday afternoon while responding to wildfires in Polk County.

Texas A&M Forest Service has responded to nine fires across the state this week, saying they “have the potential to exhaust state and local resources.”

Nobody wants storms or fires. But for Texas politicians, responding to disasters can be a welcome change of subject from political fights in an election year.

Climate change has made the Texas heat hotter and longer-lasting, enhancing drought conditions that set the stage for intense fires. More than 40% of the state is in an extreme drought.

Wildfires have burned more than 58,000 acres across the state. At least one person has died and dozens of homes have burned down.

Wondering what that smell is across Houston Friday?

Controlled burns, used to prevent catastrophic wildfires, are typically safe and rarely get out of control. Experts warn that burns gone awry can scare residents and compromise the critical fire management tool.

Firefighters are working to get control of a wildfire burning in Bastrop County that has grown to 100 acres Saturday, according to the Bastrop County Emergency Services.

Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesTexas – Millions of fish along the Texas Coast were killed during the winter storm, according to the Texas and Wildlife Department. An estimated minimum of 3.8 million fish were killed during the Feb. 2021 freeze event. According to the Texas and Wildlife Department, the massive fish kill consisted of at least 61 species. Non-recreational species contributed to 91% of the total mortality in numbers of fish. Likewise, the Upper Laguna Madre experienced black drum mortality at an estimated 82,600 fish killed.

ANAHUAC, Texas – Smoke wafts over parts of northeast Houston from a large wildfire in the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. Officials expect the fire to produce a lot of smoke throughout the day as they work to extinguish it. Officials said about 2,200 acres have burned as of WednesdayOfficials said the fire is about 50% contained and entirely within the refuge. Officials are bringing in a fire suppression helicopter in hopes the fire will be under control by Wednesday evening. Cooper said firefighters from other wildlife refuges and wildland specialists are assisting in the wildfire.

HOUSTON – Four firefighters from Porter have returned home after spending more than three weeks battling wildfires in California. Brandon Shafer, Joseph Sullivan, Ryan Johnson and Stephen Sever arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday. The crew worked on multiple fires in California, mainly trying to stop them from spreading further. The firefighters initially drove out west, which took about two days, and quickly got to work. The firefighters are looking forward to spending time with their families and said they would make the trip again, if needed.

HOUSTON – Firefighters and support personnel across the state of Texas are being deployed to parts of California to help battle the devastating wildfires, Gov. In August, the governor deployed 44 firefighters, 10 fire trucks and two command vehicles to the region. The Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System will help mobilize those resources from the departments across the state. “Texas is ready to answer the call for help when disaster strikes -- whether it’s here in the Lone Star State or across the country,” Abbott said. “I thank the brave men and women serving in our fire departments across Texas for stepping up to help Californians in need as these fires continue to burn.

This photo taken by Talent, Ore., resident Kevin Jantzer shows the destruction of his hometown as wildfires ravaged the central Oregon town near Medford late Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020. Fearing for his life, he drove his car to the entrance of a nearby mobile home park, where his tires began melting. Oregon officials haven’t released an exact death count for the wildfires but at least four fatalities have been reported in the state. Oregon officials were shocked by the number of simultaneous fires, which stood at 37 Thursday, according to the state Office of Emergency Management. AP freelance photographer Paula Bronstein also contributed to this report from Talent and Phoenix, Oregon.

A number of Northern California wildfires sent a thick, orange-glowing haze over the San Francisco area Wednesday, leaving the Bay in an eerie darkness. A fire burning in Butte County, located northeast of San Francisco, has forced thousands to evacuate from their homes, according to The Associated Press. (2020 Getty Images)An orange glow fills the sky above the Embarcadero in San Francisco. (2020 Getty Images)Smoke from various wildfires blankets the San Francisco skyline in darkness and an orange glow, seen from Treasure Island in San Francisco. (2020 Getty Images)An exterior view of the ballpark in San Francisco, California.

The bushfires in Australia are still ravaging parts of the country and are wreacking havoc on small communities and rural towns. The damage has been devastating and news of the bushfires has spread overseas with many activists and celebrities sharing photos of the devastation on social media. There are many different places where you can donate money to help with relief, and many celebrities have shared donation links and even donated themselves. I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires. Another Australian actor, Russell Crowe, who is in Australia right now, posted that he donated $105,000 to firefighters.

MAGNOLIA, Texas – Dozens of firefighters from the United States arrived in Australia on Monday to help fight the increasingly devastating wildfires burning throughout that country. More than one hundred fires have destroyed more than 14 million acres and thousands of homes and other buildings since September. Vincent worked as incident commander for the Tri-County wildfire, the largest in East Texas history. He has also traveled to Australia several times to work with firefighters there as a visiting teaching fellow. The local Greater Houston area task force, Texas Task Force 1, has not been asked to deploy at this time.