The Smokehouse Creek Fire
The Smokehouse Creek Fire burned 1,058,482 acres in the Texas Panhandle in under three weeks, the largest wildfire in Texas history and one of the largest in US history. Driven by 60 mph winds across drought-cured grassland, it killed two people and devastated the region's cattle industry.
Shaded circle = 1,058,482 acres burned
The shaded circle covers the same area as the fire’s recorded footprint, centered near its origin. Real perimeters were irregular and wind-driven.
Key facts
What happened
The fire ignited on February 26, 2024 near Stinnett when a decayed utility pole snapped in high winds. Pushed by gusts near 60 mph through tinder-dry grass, it ran roughly 90 miles in its first two days, at times covering an area the size of a football field every second, and crossed into western Oklahoma.
The fire merged with other Panhandle fires burning the same week, overwhelmed local resources, and was not fully contained until March 16.
Why it matters
Smokehouse Creek showed that grassland megafires can rival forest fires in scale and speed. Over 15,000 head of cattle died and thousands of miles of fencing burned, a devastating blow in a region that holds most of Texas's cattle herd.
Xcel Energy acknowledged its facilities appeared to be involved in the ignition. A Texas House investigative committee faulted aging utility infrastructure and gaps in rural firefighting resources, prompting new legislation on utility inspections and wildfire funding.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smokehouse Creek Fire the largest in Texas history?
Yes. At 1,058,482 acres in Texas (plus about 31,000 acres in Oklahoma), it surpassed the 2006 East Amarillo Complex to become the largest wildfire in Texas history.
What caused the fire?
A rotted wooden power pole owned by Xcel Energy snapped in high winds, dropping energized lines into dry grass. The utility acknowledged its equipment appeared to be involved.
How did it affect ranching?
More than 15,000 cattle died or had to be euthanized, and thousands of miles of fencing were destroyed, with agricultural losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
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Sources
Facts checked against the sources above. Figures such as costs and death tolls follow the most widely accepted official counts.