The Smokehouse Creek Fire.
This is the name of the largest fire in Texas history, which has already killed two people.
It is now 15% contained this Friday and has temporarily stopped expanding thanks to precipitation the day before, according to local authorities.
Nevertheless, the fire is still currently more than 430,000 hectares in size, but much of it "received precipitation yesterday and there was no progression of the fire," the Texas Forestry Service wrote Friday on X. “Crews will focus on the northern edge of the fire and areas around built-up areas,” he added.
The respite, however, may only be short-lived.
“Conditions conducive to fires are expected to return midday Saturday” and Sunday, said local weather services (NWS Amarillo), particularly due to very dry vegetation and winds.
Local media reported two deaths: an 83-year-old grandmother who died in a house fire in the small town of Stinnett, and a 44-year-old woman who died after being seriously injured when the truck she was driving crashed. was found surrounded by flames.
The fire extends over 430,000 hectares
Reuters/Nathan Frandino
No evacuations were underway in Hutchinson County on Thursday
AFP/Texas A&M Forest Service AFP or licensors
Prairies are victims of the “Smokehouse Creek Fire”
Reuters/Nathan Frandino
Another fire, the Windy Deuce Fire, requires the intervention of the Texas Forestry Agency
AFP/J.
Griffin / Texas A&M Forest Service AFP or licensors
Firefighters work “24 hours a day to protect Texans,” greeted the state governor
AFP PHOTO/Flower Mound Fire Department AFP or licensors
500 federal officials were active on Thursday, in addition to local firefighters, according to Joe Biden
AFP PHOTO/Amarillo Fire Department AFP or licensors