Largest Wildfire in Texas History Sparked by Power Lines, Officials Say

The Smokehouse Creek fire has scorched 1,059,570 acres, or nearly 1,700 square miles, since it began on Feb. 26.

A telephone pole burns from the Smokehouse Creek fire, in Canadian, Texas, on Feb. 28, 2024. David Erickson/AP Photo

The massive wildfires burning across the Texas Panhandle that killed two people, destroyed hundreds of homes, and killed thousands of livestock were caused by power lines, officials announced on March 7.

Texas A&M Forest Service investigators have concluded that power lines ignited the Smokehouse Creek fire as well as the nearby Windy Deuce fire.