2024 Texas wildfires


The 2024 Texas wildfires was a series of wildfires that burned throughout the U.S. state of Texas during 2024.

Background

Dormant Fire Season

From Mid-February to Mid-April, vegetation is often dead or dormant. Combined with dry winds, low humidity, and La Niña-related conditions, fuels can ignite more easily—and once started, fires spread rapidly due to these atmospheric patterns. This timeframe sees elevated wildfire activity in the absence of vegetation green-up.
Brad Smith of Texas A&M Forest Service notes this aligns with La Niña cycles, which intensify dryness and wind in winter into spring.

Growing-Season Peak

From March to May, as vegetation greens up and then dries, especially after a wet winter, the combination of abundant grass fuel, warmer, drier weather, and occasional lightning can ignite severe wildfires. These months contribute to a significant proportion of the state's largest fires.

Year-Round Risk

Over time, Texas has seen a trend toward year-round wildfire risk, driven by changing land use, climate trends, and increased human activity. According to Fire Chief Wes Moorehead, what used to be two distinct seasons have blurred, as fire conditions now show up in all months. This is further compounded by climate change, which has extended "fire weather"—days combining heat, dryness, and wind—raising wildfire potential across the state.

Summary

The 2024 Texas wildfires were marked by several major fires, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Texas panhandle and part of Oklahoma.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire burned an estimated in Texas and Oklahoma and was completely contained on March 16, becoming the second largest fire in US history dating back to 1988. It started on Monday, February 26, one mile north of Stinnett in Hutchinson County, Texas.
Other fires include the Windy Deuce Fire, which also started on February 26. As of March 3, it has burned, including a portion of Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, and it is 100% contained.
In addition, the Grape Vine Creek Fire started 9.5 miles south of Lefors in Gray County, Texas on the same day, burning an estimated with 100% containment.

List of wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than, or produced significant structural damage or casualties.
NameCountyAcresStart dateContainment dateNotesRef
North CIGMoore4,01224 2 202425 2 2024
Smokehouse CreekHemphill & Roberts1,058,48226 2 202416 3 2024Two fatalities; largest wildfire in Texas history, second largest in U.S history
Windy DeucePotter, Carson, Moore, Hutchinson144,20626 2 20243 3 2024
Grape Vine CreekGray34,88326 2 202410 3 2024
Juliet PassArmstrong2,96326 2 202427 2 2024
MagentaOldham3,29727 2 20245 3 2024
Mile Marker 32Kenedy1,42419 4 202424 4 2024
Laguna 24Kleberg12,38511 5 202418 5 2024
Hackberry CanyonPotter1,08814 5 202425 5 2024
Cattail 24Kleberg1,62026 5 202430 5 2024
West AER MotorCottle1,76131 7 20242 8 2024
Paint CrossingThrockmorton2,2637 8 202412 8 2024
RobertsonStephens1,61012 8 202414 8 2024
Creek 232Throckmorton1,24113 8 202414 8 2024
Midway PastureWilbarger1,14715 8 202416 8 2024
Red CreekHaskell2,77816 8 202417 8 2024
Dirt RoadKing1,52416 8 202420 8 2024
Peter SwitchWichita1,65818 8 202419 8 2024
North Art ComplexMason4,35522 8 202425 8 2024

Aftermath

At least two people died as a result of the fires and at least 7,000 cattle have died. Panhandle ranchers and farmers are seeking government assistance to recover from their losses. Volunteer organizations are assisting in the recovery efforts.
Following the fires, conspiracy theories spread stating that the fires were started by directed energy weapons which were ineffective against or deliberately did not target houses with blue roofs.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the largest wildfire, with attention on a downed Xcel Energy Co. power line near Stinnett as a potential ignition source. Lawsuits have been filed against Xcel Energy for alleged negligence leading to the fires.