CANADIAN, Texas – The panhandle is still burning Wednesday as the state deals with the second largest wildfire in Texas history.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire has grown to 850,000 acres and is only 3% contained according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
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Update: the #SmokehouseCreekFire in Hutchinson County is an estimated 850,000 acres and 3% contained. #txfire
— Incident Information - Texas A&M Forest Service (@AllHazardsTFS) February 28, 2024
But help from Houston and southeast Texas is on the way.
Houston Fire Department Chief Samuel Peña announced a team of 7 area firefighters will be deployed to the Smokehouse Creek Fire.
HFD is also sending Type 3 and Type 6 pumpers -- fire engines specifically designed for fighting wildfires.
A Type3 & 6 wildland team of 7 @HoustonFire Firefighters will deploy to the #SmokehouseCreekFire in support of TIFMAS (Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System), maintained by @TXForestService
— Chief Samuel Peña (@FireChiefofHFD) February 28, 2024
Please spare a prayer for their safety and safe return home to @HoustonTX https://t.co/RJMNf68SLa
“Please spare a prayer for their safety and safe return home to Houston,” Chief Peña said.
Other southeast Texas fire departments are also sending help.
The South Montgomery County Fire Department has deployed members to the panhandle to assist.
The East Montgomery County Fire Department has also sent crews to the panhandle.
Two members of the Porter Fire Department have also been deployed.
Four members of the Baytown Fire Department have also headed to help in the fight against the fires in the Texas Panhandle.