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“We’ve Lost Everything”: Texas Wildfire Grows to 900,000 Acres, Razing Entire Neighborhoods

HeadlineFeb 29, 2024

In the Texas Panhandle, the massive Smokehouse Creek Fire has now burned nearly 900,000 acres of land, making it the second-largest wildfire in Texas history. The fire is now larger than the state of Rhode Island. At least one person and thousands of cattle have died in the blaze, which was sparked by record heat. Residents say the fire quickly swept through whole neighborhoods.

Richard Murray: “It came up very fast. I saw the neighbor’s house starting to burn, and I called 911. And the fire trucks got here, but it was — it just started really fast. The flames were going everywhere. And by the time we got back, well, there was nothing left. … We basically have lost everything. This is the only pair of pants I’ve got, and this shirt. That’s it.”

Four other large fires are also burning in Texas.

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