Six separate wildfires, including the massive Smokehouse Creek wildfire, are burning at this time in the Texas panhandle. Hutchinson, Hemphill, Roberts, Lipscomb, and Moore counties issued evacuation orders on February 27, and Texas Governor Greg Abbot has issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties.
Beyond the Smokehouse Creek fire, firefighters are battling additional wildfires, including Magenta, Windy Deuce, 687 Reamer, Grape Vine Creek, and Juliet Pass wildfires. According to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, strong winds and critically dry grasses contributed to extreme fire behavior and rapid rates of spread across the landscape.
Once these wildfires are contained, all insurers should identify and assess claims for structures and other properties in the following zip codes:
- Magenta: 79092, 79010
- Windy Deuce: 79036, 79068, 79108
- 687 Reamer: 79083
- Smokehouse Creek: 79083, 79007, 79059, 79014, 79046, 73832
- Grape Vine Creek: 79065, 79057
- Juliet Pass: 79019
POST-FIRE INVESTIGATION
Initial reports indicate that certain of these fires may involve utility lines, but specific information as to the precise ignition scenario is still under investigation.
SMOKEHOUSE CREEK FIRE
The Smokehouse Creek Fire alone has burned over 850,000 acres in the northeastern Texas panhandle, and has spread into western Oklahoma, making it the second largest fire in the state’s history. It is being reported that several homes and businesses have been burned in this fire. A shelter-in-place order was issued for Canadian, Texas. The zip codes affected thus far are 79083, 79007, 79059, 79014, 79046 and 73832.
MAGENTA FIRE
This fire is currently burning in Oldham county. As of February 28, 2000 acres have burned, and the fire is 40% contained. This fire affects the following zip codes: 79092, 79010.
WINDY DEUCE FIRE
As of February 28, this fire has destroyed 40,000 acres and is only 20% contained. Multiple communities in the town of Fritch (Hutchinson county) are under mandatory evacuation, as the fire reportedly entered into the south side of the town. Multiple structures have been reported lost in this fire. This fire affects the following zip codes: 79036, 79068, 79108.
687 REAMER FIRE
This fire is currently burning in Hutchinson county. It has burned 2,000 acres and is only 10% contained. This fire affects the following zip codes: 79083.
GRAPE VINE CREEK FIRE
This fire is currently burning in Gray county. It has burned 30,000 acres and is reported to be 60% contained. This fire affects the following zip codes: 79065, 79057.
JULIET PASS FIRE
This fire is 100% contained as of February 28, 2024. This fire burned 2,963 acres south of Claude, Texas. This fire affects the following zip codes: 79019.
