wildfires

Wildland firefighter and The Nation contributor, Lazo Gitchos, who has studied and worked in land management policy, believes that the LA fire disaster is a wake-up call. He argues that we need a new approach to fighting fire—one that emphasizes preparedness and a change in the way we think about our relationship to nature, and to fire itself.

In August 2023, the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century reduced much of a Hawaiian town to ashes, displacing thousands. PBS Frontline’s new documentary, “Maui’s Deadly Firestorm,” is a year-long investigation into the devastating wildfire that claimed 102 lives.

A lack of air support and ineffective coordination hurt efforts to contain this year's Panhandle fires, the committee said.

At least $102 million dollars. That’s just an initial estimate of the hit Panhandle ranchers took after an outbreak of wildfires in late February — including the Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest in state history. Over three days this week, a panel of state lawmakers heard first-hand accounts from affected ranchers and investigators exploring the fire’s origins.

The Smokehouse Creek fire began on Feb. 26 due to a downed electricity pole. The blaze consumed over a million acres, making it the largest wildfire in Texas history. On Thursday, a representative from Xcel Energy's Southwestern Public Service Company testified before a Texas House committee charged with investigating the Panhandle wildfires.

A series of deadly wildfires have burned for nearly three weeks, destroying farms and ranches in several counties.

After more than a week of destruction, including thousands of dead livestock and hundreds of lost structures, firefighters now have two of the largest Texas Panhandle wildfires more under control.

The largest blaze in state history has burned over 1 million acres and is 44% contained.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire has grown to be the largest in state history.

Two people and tens of thousands of cattle have died in the largest wildfire in state history.