Rain Offers Slight Reprieve From Largest Wildfire In History Of Texas
Sumaira FH Published March 01, 2024 | 11:38 PM
Rainfall offered some reprieve from the largest wildfire in the history of Texas, officials said Friday, though dry, gusty conditions were expected to return this weekend for a blaze that has killed two people and scorched a million acres
Houston, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Mar, 2024) Rainfall offered some reprieve from the largest wildfire in the history of Texas, officials said Friday, though dry, gusty conditions were expected to return this weekend for a blaze that has killed two people and scorched a million acres.
Four major fires are actively burning across the state's northern area, known as the Texas panhandle, as well as neighboring Oklahoma, fueled by an unseasonably hot winter and ferocious winds.
"Most of the fire received some precipitation yesterday and there was no fire growth," the Texas A&M Forest Service posted on X about the Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest of the five.
It started Monday and now covers an estimated 1,075,000 acres (435,000 hectares), and is 15 percent contained.
But the reprieve could be short lived, as "Critical fire weather conditions are expected to return midday Saturday and once again after sunrise Sunday," tweeted the National Weather Service in Amarillo.
It cited very dry grass, wind gusts of 40 miles (64 kilometers) per hour and minimum relative humidity of 5-10 percent.
With Smokehouse Creek merging with another blaze, it has now become the state's largest-ever wildfire, surpassing the East Amarillo Complex disaster that torched 907,000 acres in 2006.
Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief Wes Moorehead urged Texans to be cautious over the weekend, when many celebrate Texas Independence Day on March 2, in light of the expected conditions.
"As firefighters continue to suppress active fires, we urge Texans to be cautious with any outdoor activity that may cause a spark," he said in a statement.
A 44-year-old truck driver died in an Oklahoma City hospital on Thursday, having been rescued near her smoke-engulfed truck in Smokehouse Creek on Tuesday, according to several local media.
While preventive evacuations were ordered in some places, the body of an 83-year-old woman was found in the city of Stinnett, a Hutchinson County emergency services spokesperson told ABC news.
She also said about 20 structures in Stinnett had been razed by the fire.
A 120-year-old Texas ranch said it lost 80 percent of its 32,000-acre property near the area of the largest fire.
"The loss of livestock, crops, and wildlife, as well as ranch fencing and other infrastructure throughout our property as well as other ranches and homes across the region is, we believe, unparalleled in our history," the managers of Turkey Track Ranch said in a statement posted on its website.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, climate change has been a key driver in increased wildfire activity across the western United States over the past two decades, through increased heat, extended drought, and heightened atmospheric thirst.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Dubai Mum Becomes the First Ever Pakistani Woman to Climb 11 of the 14 Highest M ..
Over 37% Tobacco tax increase suggested to save lives, boost revenue
Mohsin Naqvi has offered a substantial incentive, pledging $100,000 to every pla ..
Citizens join Al Barsha Police in “An Hour for Dubai” Initiative
Art can be a powerful tool to relieve stress, Experts say at Sharjah Children’ ..
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 5 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 05 May 2024
Bugti assures transporters for addressing their problems
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets foreign min ..
3 drug peddlers arrested, hashish recovered
1496,990 children given polio drops in five days: DC
Six terrorists killed, hideout busted in N Waziristan IBO: ISPR
More Stories From World
-
Football: Italian Serie A table
2 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP Madrid Open result
2 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A results - collated
2 hours ago -
Bodies in Mexico presumed to be missing surfers have bullet wounds to head
2 hours ago -
Rublev battles past Auger-Aliassime to claim Madrid Open title
2 hours ago -
Cesar Luis Menotti, football romantic who led Argentina to first World Cup
2 hours ago
-
Football: German Bundesliga table
3 hours ago -
Former Argentina World Cup winning coach Menotti dead at 85 - federation
3 hours ago -
Leverkusen extend unbeaten run to 48 games with win at Frankfurt
3 hours ago -
Rejuvenated Liverpool dent Tottenham's Champions League dreams
3 hours ago -
Furious Moyes blasts West Ham flops after Chelsea run riot
3 hours ago -
Teenager turns self in after attack on German politician
3 hours ago