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The Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest in the state's history, is five times larger than New York City. Rural ranch lands across a million acres of the Texas panhandle have burned. The fire is 15% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. It grew as it merged with the 687 Reamer Fire. An elderly Stinnett women at her home and an Amarillo woman whose vehicle was surrounded by the fire are two reported fatalities.
To the west, the Windy Duece Wildfire has overwhelmed the small town of Fritch. Over 100 homes are gone in a scorched landscape of 142,000 acres. That fire is 50% contained. Governor Greg Abbott is headed to the town of Borger Friday to meet with state and local officials.