WEATHER ALERT
Gov. Abbott deploys firefighting resources across Texas to combat wildfire threats
Read full article: Gov. Abbott deploys firefighting resources across Texas to combat wildfire threatsTexas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that he is sending state-issued firefighting resources across Texas to combat increased wildfire threats. The announcement was made in a media release Wednesday.
Unregulated oilfield power lines are suspected of sparking Texas wildfires
Read full article: Unregulated oilfield power lines are suspected of sparking Texas wildfiresNo state agency is taking responsibility for making sure the privately built lines that power many oil and gas sites are safe. Such lines have been blamed for sparking two recent Panhandle fires.
Texas to deploy hundreds of firefighters to California to assist in wildfire response
Read full article: Texas to deploy hundreds of firefighters to California to assist in wildfire responseTexas emergency officials have already prepared more than 100 firefighters, emergency personnel, and over 25 fire engines, command vehicles, and equipment to send as the state battles ongoing wildfires in northern California.
Texas firefighting teams, equipment sent to New Mexico as wildfires continue
Read full article: Texas firefighting teams, equipment sent to New Mexico as wildfires continueTexas Governor Greg Abbott has called for Wildfire Search and Rescue Support units to go to New Mexico as the area deals with wildfires that have claimed two lives.
Ted Cruz and Ronny Jackson push legislation to help ranchers who lost livestock in Panhandle wildfires
Read full article: Ted Cruz and Ronny Jackson push legislation to help ranchers who lost livestock in Panhandle wildfiresThe Republican senator and congressman introduced a bill that would expand a federal aid program to pay ranchers when pregnant cattle are killed in disasters.
Cows at two Texas dairy farms have bird flu, another blow to Cattle Country following wildfires
Read full article: Cows at two Texas dairy farms have bird flu, another blow to Cattle Country following wildfiresFederal officials said the nation’s milk supply should be not at risk after a bird flu outbreak hits dairies in Texas, New Mexico and Kansas.
Texas prepares for large wildfire as critical weather conditions threaten Panhandle
Read full article: Texas prepares for large wildfire as critical weather conditions threaten PanhandleTexas A&M Forest Service is on alert as weather conditions could produce large wildfires as critical weather conditions threaten the Panhandle and Southwest Texas.
Texas firefighters completely contain Panhandle inferno that burned more than 1 million acres
Read full article: Texas firefighters completely contain Panhandle inferno that burned more than 1 million acresA series of deadly wildfires have burned for nearly three weeks, destroying farms and ranches in several counties.
“It does not get easier”: Texas ranchers lose cattle and land in historic wildfires
Read full article: “It does not get easier”: Texas ranchers lose cattle and land in historic wildfiresAs ranchers recover from the Smokehouse Creek fire, they face the agonizing choice of what to do with an unknown number of injured cattle.
Texas requires utilities to plan for emergencies. That didn’t stop the Panhandle fires.
Read full article: Texas requires utilities to plan for emergencies. That didn’t stop the Panhandle fires.Experts say utilities need to be ready for extreme weather, which could be a challenge in a state where discussing climate change is often taboo.
Facing staggering losses from wildfires, Panhandle ranchers and farmers seek aid to rebuild
Read full article: Facing staggering losses from wildfires, Panhandle ranchers and farmers seek aid to rebuildRanchers have likely lost thousands of cattle in the wildfires, according to some preliminary estimates.
Texas fire chief loses life in the line of duty during Panhandle wildfires
Read full article: Texas fire chief loses life in the line of duty during Panhandle wildfiresAuthorities say a Texas fire chief whose small town was among the hardest hit last week by historic blazes sweeping across the Panhandle died Tuesday while fighting a structure fire.
Many homes burned in the Texas wildfires weren’t insured, creating a steep path to recovery
Read full article: Many homes burned in the Texas wildfires weren’t insured, creating a steep path to recoveryRural Texans are more than twice as likely to go without homeowners insurance than their urban peers.
Texas Panhandle wildfires: What you need to know about the blazes, damage and recovery
Read full article: Texas Panhandle wildfires: What you need to know about the blazes, damage and recoveryThe full scope of damage still isn’t known, but some Panhandle residents have returned home. Firefighters continue battling the infernos.
Panhandle residents begin rebuilding, even as fight to contain fires continues
Read full article: Panhandle residents begin rebuilding, even as fight to contain fires continuesThe fire that engulfed their town was only 15% contained over the weekend, but Canadian residents were back to selling flowers and preparing for an election.
State calls for investigation into cause of Texas Panhandle wildfires
Read full article: State calls for investigation into cause of Texas Panhandle wildfiresAs officials try to determine a cause for the wildfires, a Canadian homeowner filed a lawsuit blaming an energy company for the destruction. And more are expected.
Why aren’t planes, helicopters being used to fight Texas Panhandle wildfires?
Read full article: Why aren’t planes, helicopters being used to fight Texas Panhandle wildfires?As several wildfires continue to burn in the Texas Panhandle, many people have the same question: Why aren’t firefighters using planes and helicopters?
‘The worst feeling I’ve ever had on a fire:’ Texas Panhandle firefighter loses home while saving others
Read full article: ‘The worst feeling I’ve ever had on a fire:’ Texas Panhandle firefighter loses home while saving othersA firefighter in the Texas Panhandle came home to find his house engulfed in flames by the same fire he’s fighting.
Firefighters from Houston-area among crews racing to stop Texas Panhandle wildfires from growing
Read full article: Firefighters from Houston-area among crews racing to stop Texas Panhandle wildfires from growingAs firefighters work on their fifth straight day of trying to put out wildfires burning in the Texas Panhandle, the race is on to beat a weather forecast that favors wildfires burning uncontrollably.
As wildfires rage through Panhandle, Fritch residents seek respite at church
Read full article: As wildfires rage through Panhandle, Fritch residents seek respite at churchShaken by the devastation, families find comfort in each other as they pick through the rubble and commune at a church in nearby Borger.
Wildfires ravage cattle country, threatening Texas’ agriculture economy
Read full article: Wildfires ravage cattle country, threatening Texas’ agriculture economyTexas wildfires have consumed acres of agricultural land, killing thousands of livestock, destroying crops and exacerbating challenges lingering from last year’s drought.
‘Raised to be a giving person:’ Owner of Texas Panhandle restaurant feeding firefighters battling wildfire for free
Read full article: ‘Raised to be a giving person:’ Owner of Texas Panhandle restaurant feeding firefighters battling wildfire for freeAs the largest wildfire in Texas history continues to rage in the panhandle, hundreds of firefighters are rushing to help put out the flames.
Texas wildfires: how to help and how to stay safe
Read full article: Texas wildfires: how to help and how to stay safeAs firefighters work to put out the largest wildfire in Texas history, here’s a guide to fire weather watches, safety tips and how to find organizations collecting donations to directly help local residents, including farmers and ranchers.
Houston area firefighters battling Texas panhandle wildfires
Read full article: Houston area firefighters battling Texas panhandle wildfiresAs the largest wildfire in Texas history continues to burn, firefighters from across the state, including SE Texas, are on the front lines of the battle to keep homes from burning.
Texans in the Panhandle recall towering smoke and darkened skies as wildfires crept near their towns
Read full article: Texans in the Panhandle recall towering smoke and darkened skies as wildfires crept near their townsThe fires have left at least two people dead and four injured firefighters. Cattle have been lost and homes and businesses decimated in their wake.
Massive wildfires in Texas panhandle pose threat to cattle industry
Read full article: Massive wildfires in Texas panhandle pose threat to cattle industryFlames continue to burn through the Texas Panhandle. The Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned over a million acres, the largest recorded fire in Texas history.
Smokehouse Creek Fire is now the largest wildfire in Texas history. Here are the biggest ever recorded
Read full article: Smokehouse Creek Fire is now the largest wildfire in Texas history. Here are the biggest ever recordedThe Smokehouse Creek Fire is already the second largest wildfire to ever burn in the state of Texas. By the end of Thursday, it could be the largest ever recorded.
Texas Panhandle wildfire continues to burn in area twice the size of Houston
Read full article: Texas Panhandle wildfire continues to burn in area twice the size of HoustonOver 850,000 acres have gone up in flames in the Smokehouse Creek Wildfire.To give some perspective, that’s twice the size of Houston.
Sorrow in paradise: What I felt returning to Maui for the first time since the Lahaina wildfire
Read full article: Sorrow in paradise: What I felt returning to Maui for the first time since the Lahaina wildfireBorn and bred in Texas, I've built a second home on the island of Maui. This week, I traveled back there for the first time since the deadly Lahaina wildfire on Aug. 8, 2023.
Harrowing stories surface from those who jumped into the ocean to escape Maui wildfires
Read full article: Harrowing stories surface from those who jumped into the ocean to escape Maui wildfiresOne of the many abandoned cars near the shoreline of the Hawaiian island of Maui exploded, shaking the earth and blanketing the dozens of people bobbing in the ocean with a brief blast of heat.
Gov. Greg Abbott declares wildfire disaster for three-fourths of Texas
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott declares wildfire disaster for three-fourths of TexasAt least 8,500 acres of Texas land have burned since Aug. 1. The governor’s disaster declaration allows included counties to access state resources to fight wildfires.
Pitch 25 hosting fundraiser to help those affected by wildfires in Maui
Read full article: Pitch 25 hosting fundraiser to help those affected by wildfires in MauiHoustonians are known for giving back to communities who need help after a disaster. Brian Ching owns Pitch 25 in downtown Houston, and he wanted to raise money for those affected by the devastating wildfires in Maui.
Help is needed in Maui amid devastating wildfires: Here’s how the Houston area can lend a hand
Read full article: Help is needed in Maui amid devastating wildfires: Here’s how the Houston area can lend a handDeadly wildfires burning across Maui have killed at least 36 people and prompted evacuations for residents in the area. Officials described the wildfires as “unprecedented.”
Texas is preparing for more wildfires without a break from heat in forecast
Read full article: Texas is preparing for more wildfires without a break from heat in forecastThe number of acres burned this year is dramatically lower compared to 2022. But a rash of new fires have put state and local officials on edge.
State Wildfire Preparedness level raised to Level 4 as high fire danger is forecast this week
Read full article: State Wildfire Preparedness level raised to Level 4 as high fire danger is forecast this weekTexas A&M Forest Service has raised the State Wildfire Preparedness level to Level 4 due to the recent increase in wildfire activity across the state and the growing potential for wildfires to become more severe, making them harder to control.
PHOTOS: Canadian wildfire smoke covers NYC, causing air quality concerns in the Northeast
Read full article: PHOTOS: Canadian wildfire smoke covers NYC, causing air quality concerns in the NortheastNew York City and other surrounding areas are preparing for another day of bad air Thursday as smoke continues to spread from Canadian wildfires, NBC News reported.
Pilot injured after plane fighting wildfires in Polk County crashes in Lake Livingston, officials say
Read full article: Pilot injured after plane fighting wildfires in Polk County crashes in Lake Livingston, officials sayA pilot is injured after a plane crashed in Lake Livingston Tuesday afternoon while responding to wildfires in Polk County.
Taylor County wildfire prompts evacuations as dry conditions raise risk in West Texas
Read full article: Taylor County wildfire prompts evacuations as dry conditions raise risk in West TexasTexas A&M Forest Service has responded to nine fires across the state this week, saying they “have the potential to exhaust state and local resources.”
Wildfire risk remains high for much of Texas in the days ahead, fire officials say
Read full article: Wildfire risk remains high for much of Texas in the days ahead, fire officials sayClimate change has made the Texas heat hotter and longer-lasting, enhancing drought conditions that set the stage for intense fires. More than 40% of the state is in an extreme drought.
Gov. Greg Abbott declares disaster as wildfires rage in several Texas counties
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott declares disaster as wildfires rage in several Texas countiesWildfires have burned more than 58,000 acres across the state. At least one person has died and dozens of homes have burned down.
Prescribed burn gone wrong likely sparked wildfire in Bastrop County, officials say
Read full article: Prescribed burn gone wrong likely sparked wildfire in Bastrop County, officials sayControlled burns, used to prevent catastrophic wildfires, are typically safe and rarely get out of control. Experts warn that burns gone awry can scare residents and compromise the critical fire management tool.
Nearly 3.8 million fish killed along Texas Coast during winter storm
Read full article: Nearly 3.8 million fish killed along Texas Coast during winter stormPhoto by Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesTexas – Millions of fish along the Texas Coast were killed during the winter storm, according to the Texas and Wildlife Department. An estimated minimum of 3.8 million fish were killed during the Feb. 2021 freeze event. According to the Texas and Wildlife Department, the massive fish kill consisted of at least 61 species. Non-recreational species contributed to 91% of the total mortality in numbers of fish. Likewise, the Upper Laguna Madre experienced black drum mortality at an estimated 82,600 fish killed.
Smoke wafting over parts of northeast Houston from wildfire in Anahuac refuge
Read full article: Smoke wafting over parts of northeast Houston from wildfire in Anahuac refugeANAHUAC, Texas – Smoke wafts over parts of northeast Houston from a large wildfire in the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. Officials expect the fire to produce a lot of smoke throughout the day as they work to extinguish it. Officials said about 2,200 acres have burned as of WednesdayOfficials said the fire is about 50% contained and entirely within the refuge. Officials are bringing in a fire suppression helicopter in hopes the fire will be under control by Wednesday evening. Cooper said firefighters from other wildlife refuges and wildland specialists are assisting in the wildfire.
4 Porter firefighters return home after spending more than 3 weeks battling wildfires in California
Read full article: 4 Porter firefighters return home after spending more than 3 weeks battling wildfires in CaliforniaHOUSTON – Four firefighters from Porter have returned home after spending more than three weeks battling wildfires in California. Brandon Shafer, Joseph Sullivan, Ryan Johnson and Stephen Sever arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday. The crew worked on multiple fires in California, mainly trying to stop them from spreading further. The firefighters initially drove out west, which took about two days, and quickly got to work. The firefighters are looking forward to spending time with their families and said they would make the trip again, if needed.
Texas sending firefighters to help battle wildfires in California
Read full article: Texas sending firefighters to help battle wildfires in CaliforniaHOUSTON – Firefighters and support personnel across the state of Texas are being deployed to parts of California to help battle the devastating wildfires, Gov. In August, the governor deployed 44 firefighters, 10 fire trucks and two command vehicles to the region. The Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System will help mobilize those resources from the departments across the state. “Texas is ready to answer the call for help when disaster strikes -- whether it’s here in the Lone Star State or across the country,” Abbott said. “I thank the brave men and women serving in our fire departments across Texas for stepping up to help Californians in need as these fires continue to burn.
'Evacuate now:' Wildfires grow in Oregon as 500K flee
Read full article: 'Evacuate now:' Wildfires grow in Oregon as 500K fleeThis photo taken by Talent, Ore., resident Kevin Jantzer shows the destruction of his hometown as wildfires ravaged the central Oregon town near Medford late Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020. Fearing for his life, he drove his car to the entrance of a nearby mobile home park, where his tires began melting. Oregon officials haven’t released an exact death count for the wildfires but at least four fatalities have been reported in the state. Oregon officials were shocked by the number of simultaneous fires, which stood at 37 Thursday, according to the state Office of Emergency Management. AP freelance photographer Paula Bronstein also contributed to this report from Talent and Phoenix, Oregon.
7 surreal photos: Wildfire smoke blankets San Francisco in a spooky orange glow
Read full article: 7 surreal photos: Wildfire smoke blankets San Francisco in a spooky orange glowA number of Northern California wildfires sent a thick, orange-glowing haze over the San Francisco area Wednesday, leaving the Bay in an eerie darkness. A fire burning in Butte County, located northeast of San Francisco, has forced thousands to evacuate from their homes, according to The Associated Press. (2020 Getty Images)An orange glow fills the sky above the Embarcadero in San Francisco. (2020 Getty Images)Smoke from various wildfires blankets the San Francisco skyline in darkness and an orange glow, seen from Treasure Island in San Francisco. (2020 Getty Images)An exterior view of the ballpark in San Francisco, California.
These celebrities are donating money to the Australian bushfires
Read full article: These celebrities are donating money to the Australian bushfiresThe bushfires in Australia are still ravaging parts of the country and are wreacking havoc on small communities and rural towns. The damage has been devastating and news of the bushfires has spread overseas with many activists and celebrities sharing photos of the devastation on social media. There are many different places where you can donate money to help with relief, and many celebrities have shared donation links and even donated themselves. I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires. Another Australian actor, Russell Crowe, who is in Australia right now, posted that he donated $105,000 to firefighters.
Local fire chief, who worked in Australia, explains why it’s so hard to contain the wildfires
Read full article: Local fire chief, who worked in Australia, explains why it’s so hard to contain the wildfiresMAGNOLIA, Texas – Dozens of firefighters from the United States arrived in Australia on Monday to help fight the increasingly devastating wildfires burning throughout that country. More than one hundred fires have destroyed more than 14 million acres and thousands of homes and other buildings since September. Vincent worked as incident commander for the Tri-County wildfire, the largest in East Texas history. He has also traveled to Australia several times to work with firefighters there as a visiting teaching fellow. The local Greater Houston area task force, Texas Task Force 1, has not been asked to deploy at this time.