Texas firefighters battle massive blaze before wind gusts return

Firefighters in the Texas Panhandle scrambled Monday to contain massive wildfires that have already scorched a record-breaking 1.3 million acres in the Lone Star State and forced the evacuation of an entire town.

The Smokehouse Creek fire, the largest in the state’s history at more than 1.1 million acres, continued its march east toward Oklahoma, with firefighters rushing to contain it before winds are forecast to pick up again Monday.

As of Sunday afternoon, the Smokehouse Creek fire was 15 percent contained, and two others were at least 60 percent contained. Authorities have not said what ignited the fires, but strong winds, dry grass and unseasonably warm temperatures fed them.

The National Weather Service (NWS) projected strong winds of up to 15-20 mph Monday for the region surrounding Amarillo, Texas.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Sunday said the federal government has devoted funds, equipment and personnel to assist with battling the fires, but warned more extreme weather could be coming.

“More than a million acres have burned. And we are in winter, and this is the largest fire in Texas history,” Mayorkas said in a CNN interview. “We, as a country and as a world, have to be ready for the increasing effects of extreme weather caused by climate change. It’s a remarkable phenomenon, and it will manifest itself in the days to come, and we have to prepare for it now.”

The NWS projected a relief in weather starting Tuesday, however, with calming winds. 

“Even though there is no precipitation in the forecast, winds and relative humidity values will thankfully not hit any fire weather thresholds early this week,” the agency said. “Weak winds at the surface and a lot are looking likely for Tuesday so fire weather should not be a concern. Along with the weak winds, temperatures will also be cooler in the mid 50s to mid 60s area wide.”

The blaze has hammered the cattle industry in the region, the main economic driver of the Panhandle. The Texas Agricultural Commissioner predicted last week that at least 10,000 head of cattle will be lost due to the fires.

The Associated Press contributed.