In testimony to state lawmakers, Dale Jenkins and his Panhandle peers shared the “hidden cost” of the wildfires.
Panhandle Wildfires
The largest wildfire Texas’ history burned more than 1,500 square miles of rangeland in the Panhandle northeast of Amarillo in February and March 2024. Wildfires have become more frequent and severe in the Western United States because of warmer and drier conditions, factors that worsen because of climate change.
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Panhandle Wildfires
Public blasts Texas agencies, regulators for poor communication and oversight at wildfire hearings
Thursday’s hearing marked the end of the Legislature’s three-day marathon of public hearings.
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Panhandle Wildfires
Utility pole inspection company declines to testify at Texas Panhandle wildfire investigation hearing
The Texas A&M Forest Service concluded that a fallen decayed utility pole caused the Smokehouse Creek fire.
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Panhandle Wildfires
Texas emergency director calls for firefighting air force after historic Panhandle fires
A special legislative committee is investigating what caused the Smokehouse Creek fire, the largest in state history.
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Panhandle Wildfires
Texas firefighters completely contain Panhandle inferno that burned more than 1 million acres
A series of deadly wildfires have burned for nearly three weeks, destroying farms and ranches in several counties.
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Panhandle Wildfires
“It does not get easier”: Texas ranchers lose cattle and land in historic wildfires
As ranchers recover from the Smokehouse Creek fire, they face the agonizing choice of what to do with an unknown number of injured cattle.
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Panhandle Wildfires
Texas wildfires: how to help and how to stay safe
As 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.
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Panhandle Wildfires
Texas legislative committee to investigate cause of Panhandle wildfires
The panel of three lawmakers and two residents will also look at disaster preparedness.
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Panhandle Wildfires
Texas firefighters closer to extinguishing Panhandle wildfires
As crews fight to keep deadly blazes under control, weather conditions could increase risk of more fires.
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Panhandle Wildfires
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.