The second-largest wildfire in U.S. history, and the largest in state history, is currently sweeping across the Texas Panhandle, burning through more than one million acres of land.
Two people have now been confirmed dead as a result of the blazes. Joyce Blankenship, an 83-year-old grandmother was discovered in the remains of her burned home, while Cindy Owens, an Amarillo woman in her 40s, died Tuesday after she exited her truck for an unknown reason while driving in the Texan city Canadian. Sgt. Chris Ray of the Texas Department of Public Safety said that “the fire simply overtook her,” NBC reported.
The largest of the fires—which spans nearly 1.1 million acres—began at Smokehouse Creek and was 15% contained as of Sunday, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The Windy Deuce Fire in Moore County, which covers more than 144,000 acres, was 55% contained on Sunday. The Grape Vine Creek fire, at 34,800 acres, was 60% contained. The Magenta Fire in Oldham County, spanning approximately 3,300 acres, was 85% contained. The 2,000-acre 687 Reamer Fire was 10% contained.
On Sunday, Moore County Sheriff’s office warned that a new fire was possible in the Canadian River area because of high winds, low humidity, and large amounts of grass. The office told residents to prepare to evacuate if necessary.
Evacuations have been ongoing across the region. Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a state of disaster declaration in 60 counties earlier in the week. Citizens of Moore, Potter, Hemphill, and Hutchinson counties have been forced to leave their homes. Evacuation orders were also issued for communities in Wheeler, Allison, Kelton, and Briscoe, but those were reportedly lifted earlier this week.
Fourteen fires were also burning in the neighboring state of Oklahoma, across more than 319,000 acres, on Sunday—part spillover from the Smokehouse Creek blaze. Oklahoma’s Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry reported two new fires that burned 933 acres.
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag warning—indicating dangerously dry and windy weather—until 9 p.m. Sunday for Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. A cold front was expected to move into the area on Monday and could bring some relief.
During a visit to the southern border in Brownsville, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke out about the fires, thanking first responders for “risking their lives to save others” and urging locals to heed official warnings.
“When disasters strike, there is no red state or blue state where I come from. There are just communities and families looking for help,” he said, adding that Texas has received $13 billion in relief funding throughout his presidency.
He also linked the disaster to environmental concerns, noting: “I love some of my Neanderthal friends, who still think there’s no climate change.”