Texas is a state in the South Central region of the United States, with a population of 30.5 million residents as of 2023. It is the second-largest U.S. state by area after Alaska. According to reports, a wildfire in the Texas Panhandle has led to 1 fatality, with more than 4,500 homes and businesses left without power.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire as it is being referred to, has burned through over 1 million acres north of Amarillo, with only 3% contained, making it the second-largest fire in the country, leading to evacuations in several towns and communities. The Pantex nuclear weapons site in Amarillo has been temporarily shut down, with their staff evacuated.
Emergency alerts have been issued in about 60 counties, and hundreds of firefighters and emergency responders have been deployed to contain the fires.
