The largest wildfire in Texas history has burned more than 1 million acres
At approximately 1:51 p.m. CST on Monday, Feb. 26, record-breaking fires ignited in the Texas Panhandle. The Hutchinson 0317 fire, later renamed the Smokehouse Creek fire, began just a mile northeast of Stinnett, Texas.
Dry, windy conditions exacerbated by an approaching cold front led to the fire quickly spiraling out of control. Within 48 hours, the blaze grew to over 500,000 acres and crossed the Oklahoma border.
As of publication, the fire spans over 1 million acres and is the largest wildfire in Texas history, surpassing the East Amarillo Complex fire of 2006. Cumulatively, the Smokehouse Creek fire has burned more than the combined acreage of all Texas fires in 2023. Governor Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration in 60 counties.
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Potential Impacts From the Smokehouse Creek Fire
CoreLogic estimates approximately 1,544 single-family residential properties with a combined reconstruction value (RCV) of $356 million are located within the wildfire perimeter as of Feb. 29. Please note, the perimeter is subject to change. Approximately 1,388 of these properties are located in Hemphill County. At this time, the extent of the damage is unknown, and this estimate only defines the properties at risk of damages within the fire perimeter. Not all properties will necessarily be impacted.
The Smokehouse Creek fire is burning in a relatively remote area away from the state’s major metropolitan areas. The vegetation in the area is mostly short-grass prairie interspersed with shrubby mesquite, juniper, cottonwood, and agricultural crops.
The wildfires also forced a shutdown of the nuclear weapons facility, Pantex, which is located northeast of Amarillo. The company evacuated nonessential personnel on Tuesday night. Since 1975, this facility has served as the center of America’s nuclear security enterprise, housing the expertise and infrastructure integral to assembling and disassembling atomic bombs. Fortunately, by Wednesday morning, the threat had passed and Pantex reopened its doors.
In most parts of Texas, wildfires predominantly occur during the summer months. However, the Southern Plains, including the Texas Panhandle, experience the highest fire risk around March. Moreover, the increase in hot, dry days due to climate change is increasing the threat of wildfires in Texas and impacting the insurance landscape. Texas homeowners are experiencing an increase in premiums, and some insurers have opted to exit parts of the state altogether.
The CoreLogic Hazard HQ Team will continue to monitor the Smokehouse Creek fire and the four other fires that are burning in the northern Texas Panhandle. Updates, including damage estimates, may be provided when the full extent of impact is more known.
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Contact: Please email [email protected] with questions about the wildfire activity or any CoreLogic event response notifications. Visit www.hazardhq.com for updates and information on catastrophes across the globe.
