April 8, 2024
By Chaerin Lee
The largest recent wildfire in Texas, the Smokehouse Creek wildfire, occurred due to a power line. Xcel Energy said its equipment appeared to have sparked the Smokehouse Creek fire. The wildfire began on February 26. It is now about 4,400 square kilometers. Another fire, the Windy Deuce fire, has burned more than 400 square kilometers. Both fires are believed to have been caused by power lines, according to Forest Service investigators.
According to this, homeowners in Texas have filed a lawsuit against the electricity company to hold it accountable. The Smokehouse Creek fire was almost contained until Tuesday. The American Forest Service warned that high winds were expected to be moving across the dry landscape, and they could increase fire.
Two people were discovered killed by the wildfires last week: one who was overtaken by flames near her truck and another woman whose remains were found in her burned home. Thousands of livestock on the ranch were also reportedly killed.
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