According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, as of 9 a.m. Thursday, the Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Panhandle has eclipsed 1 million acres and is now the largest wildfire in Texas history, with an estimated 1,050,000 acres scorched across Texas and an additional 25,000 acres in Oklahoma, with 3 percent containment. The 687 Reamer Fire has burned into this fire.
From east to west, at its longest stretch the Smokehouse Creek Fire spans 93 miles. From north to south, the longest distance covers 34 miles.
On Wednesday, one casualty was reported in Hutchinson County due to the fire.
The previous largest 3 wildfires in Texas history include:
- East Amarillo Complex of 2006, burning 907,245 acres
- Big Country of 1998, burning 366,000 acres
- Perryton of 2017, burning 318,156 acres
Wildfire records have been tracked in Texas since 1988.
Four members of the Brownwood Fire Department, including Assistant Chief Jody Horton, and one truck have been dispatched to assist with the fires in the Panhandle.
