Smokehouse Creek wildfire expected to be contained March 14
According to inciweb.nwcg.gov, March 14, the perimeter of the Smokehouse Creek Fire which originated near Stinnett, Texas Feb. 26, had reached 89% contained by March 14.
To date there have been 1,058,482 acres burned. Reports state fire lines are being reinforced and mop-up continues. Air support continues to assist with flare-ups, but safety of crews continues to be the highest priority.
Wind, low relative humidity levels and fire weather conditions have pushed other fires in the area as well.
The start of the Smokehouse Creek fire is still under investigation, but Xcel Energy issued a statement March 7 regarding the wildfires in the Texas Panhandle. According to the statement, “Xcel Energy has been cooperating with the investigations into the wildfires and has been conducting its own review. Based on currently available information, Xcel Energy acknowledges that its facilities appear to have been involved in an ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire.
Xcel Energy noted in the statement the Windy Deuce fire reportedly impacted many structures in and around Fritch, Texas and does not believe its facilities caused the ignition of the Windy Deuce fire, and “we are not aware of any allegation that Xcel Energy’s facilities caused this fire,” the statement read.
Preliminary information released to Xcel Energy shared in the statement said 47 occupied homes in Hemphill County and up to 17 occupied homes in Roberts County were destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek Fire.
“With respect to Hutchinson County, which was impacted by both the Smokehouse Creek fire and the Windy Deuce fire, Xcel Energy’s preliminary understanding based on the areas impacted is that the number of occupied homes lost due to the Smokehouse Creek fire appear to be fewer than in Hemphill County. These numbers are subject to change as more information becomes available.”
Xcel Energy will continue to work with regulators and policymakers to evaluate the evolving nature of the wildfire risk and advance effective wildfire mitigation strategies to keep the public safe and our systems resilient.
“The people in this region are our friends, neighbors and relatives,” Bob Frenzel, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy said in the statement. “We are deeply saddened by the losses incurred in this community, and we are committed to supporting its renewal and recovery.”
According to Frenzel, Xcel Energy, through its Southwestern Public Service Company subsidiary, has operated in the Texas Panhandle for more than 100 years.
