Texas battles historic wildfires that have left at least two people dead

Smokehouse Creek fire has burnt through hundreds of thousands of hectares and is only 5 per cent contained

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  A handout photo made available by the Flower Mound Fire Department shows firefighters with the Flower Mound Fire Department out of Flower Mound, Texas, helping to contain a wildfire in the panhandle region of Texas, USA, 27 February 2024 (issued 28 February 2024). The fire is affecting 500,000 acres of land and is the second largest fire in Texas history. EPA / FLOWER MOUND TEXAS FIRE DEPARTMENT HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY / NO SALES HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY / NO SALES

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  A Texas A&M Forest Service bulldozer building a containment line battles the Windy Deuce Fire in Moore County, Texas. AFP

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  Vehicles and residences destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek fire in Canadian, Texas. AP

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  Gutted vehicles at a body shop, after the property was burnt by the Smokehouse Creek fire, in Canadian, Texas. AP

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  Clean-up continues at a home destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek fire in Canadian, Texas. AP

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  The charred remains of a property destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek fire. AP

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  Wildfire rages through Texas. EPA

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  The fire is affecting hundreds of thousands of hectares of land and is the largest in Texas history. EPA

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  Smoke from the Windy Deuce wildfire billows across a road in the panhandle region of Texas. EPA

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  A home destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek fire in Stinnett, Texas. AP

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  The aftermath of the Smokehouse Creek fire sweeping through a residence in Canadian, Texas. AP

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  Firefighters extinguish a hot spot from the Smokehouse Creek fire in Stinnett, Texas. AP

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  Grassland burns as the Smokehouse Creek fire sweeps Roberts County, Texas. Reuters

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  Amarillo firefighters during clean-up operations from the Windy Deuce fire, north of Amarillo. AFP

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  Smoke from a fire in the Texas panhandle billows over a road. AP

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  Fires rage through the Texas panhandle. AP

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  Pantex, the main facility that assembles and disassembles America's nuclear arsenal, shut down operations in Texas as fires raged out of control nearby. AP

Texas firefighters on Friday were struggling to contain a historic blaze that has scorched through 400,000 hectares and left at least two people dead.

The Smokehouse Creek fire, which has grown to over 4,400 square kilometres, the largest in the state's history, was only 5 per cent contained on Friday after merging with another fire, Texas A&M Forest Service said.

Potentially strong winds in west Texas are expected to increase the potential for wildfire activity in the Plains on Saturday and Sunday, the service added.

A dusting of snow gave firefighters a brief respite, but it did little to contain the blaze that covers an area larger than the US state of Rhode Island.

The fire has also stretched into Oklahoma, where it has affected tens of thousands of hectares.

Authorities did not say what sparked the fire, but strong winds, dry brush and warm weather helped feed the flames.

Two women were confirmed to have died in the fires this week, but authorities have not yet been able to conduct a search for other potential victims.

President Joe Biden, who visited Texas on Thursday, said he has ordered federal officials to assist communities affected by the fires.

“We’re standing with everyone affected by these wildfires and we’re going to continue to help you respond and recover,” he said.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott also issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties across the state, the Associated Press reported.