Texas Panhandle Wildfire Becomes One of Largest in U.S. History, Burns Over 1.1 Million Acres

As of today, the wildfire rampaging through the Texas Panhandle has become one of the largest in the history of the United States. According to latest reports, the fire has consumed an estimated 1.1 million acres of land, making it the second-largest wildfire in the country's history. Unfortunately, this devastating wildfire, named the Smokehouse Creek Fire, has only been contained to a mere 15% so far.

The Largest Wildfires in U.S. History

1. The 1910 Great Fire

   In August 20 and 21, 1910, northern Idaho and western Montana were ravaged by a wildfire that burned a staggering 3 million acres of land. This catastrophic event claimed the lives of 87 people and destroyed enough wood to build 800,000 homes. The aftermath of this wildfire left a devastating impact on the region.

2. The Peshtigo Fire of 1871

   On October 8, 1871, a series of individual fires in the Great Lakes region, including the Great Chicago Fire and the Great Peshtigo Fire, collectively caused what is known as The Great Fire of 1871. The Peshtigo Fire, which burned 1.5 million acres of land in Wisconsin, resulted in the tragic loss of 1,200-2,400 lives, making it one of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history.

3. Taylor Complex Fire in Alaska

   In 2004, the Taylor Complex Fire scorched over 1.3 million acres in Alaska. This devastating wildfire was part of a series of fires that ravaged a total of 6.5 million acres in the state during that season, causing widespread destruction.

4. August Complex Fire in California

   California's worst fire season occurred in 2020, with 10,000 separate fires burning a total of 4.3 million acres. The largest of these fires, the August Complex fire, blazed through more than 1 million acres, marking it as the largest wildfire in the state's history. The catastrophic impact of this event resulted in the loss of numerous lives and extensive damage.

5. The 2021 Dixie Fire in California

   In 2021, the Dixie Fire ravaged 963,309 acres in five northern California counties, making it the second-largest wildfire in the state's history. This relentless fire lasted for several months and claimed the life of one individual.

Other Notable Wildfires

In 2011, Texas experienced its worst fire season, with 31,453 wildfires burning a total of 4 million acres and destroying 2,947 homes. Meanwhile, in 2023, Canada faced a catastrophic wildfire season, with thousands of wildfires scorching more than 45 million acres across the country for several months, impacting the air quality in the United States.

One of the most tragic historic wildfires occurred in 1825, with the Miramichi Fire burning in New Brunswick, Canada and spreading into Maine. This devastating fire is believed to have burned 3 million acres, mainly in Canada, and claimed the lives of 160 people.

As the Smokehouse Creek Fire continues to pose a substantial threat to the Texas Panhandle, it is essential for authorities and communities to mobilize all available resources to contain and extinguish the wildfire to prevent further destruction and loss of life.