Amy freeze4/3/2024 ![]() We can point to an abundance of dry grasses (fuel), a powerhouse weather system that initiated gusty winds, above average temperatures, low humidity, and a possible nod to an ongoing influence from El Niño as contributing to Smokehouse Creek's ferocity. Major fires can, and do, occur regardless of month or season. It's also important to note that the concept of a "standard" fire season that only brings high fire chances during peak summer months is also increasingly outdated. This isn't just an issue for states west of the Rockies. ![]() Big and fast moving fires can occur anywhere if conditions are right. ![]() This is another example of a major wildfire event occurring outside the "traditionally expected" high risk areas of the western US. It would also qualify as the largest wildfire in California dating to 1932. The fire equals 46% of all land burned by wildfires across the entire US Lower 48 in 2023 (2.37 million acres). The fire by itself is bigger than the combined acres burned in every year in Texas since 2011. However, it is currently uncertain whether it will come close to the ~$790M insured loss seen during the 2011 Bastrop County Complex event (2024 USD).Īs of March 1: The Smokehouse Creek Fire alone had already burned nearly 1.1 million acres, which marked the state's largest wildfire on record. This is expected to be one of the costlier Texas wildfire events on record. We're currently witnessing a series of significant wildfires burning across the Texas panhandle and Oklahoma which has led to the destruction of hundreds of properties and notable impacts to agribusiness, infrastructure, and other interests. This is another peril worth further discussion.
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