Integrated Team Approach: Fire Detections and Warnings Likely Saved Lives In Historic U.S. Wildfires

Abstract

On Feb. 26-57, 2024, a historic wildfire outbreak devastated parts of the United States’ southern Great Plains. In all, about 40 wildfires burned an estimated 555,196 hectares, primarily in the Panhandle of Texas and western Oklahoma. At 428,352 hectares, the Smokehouse Creek fire began in Hutchinson County, Texas, on Feb. 26, and spread eastward more than 135 kilometers into Ellis County, Oklahoma, by the afternoon of Feb. 27. The Smokehouse Creek fire became one of the largest contiguous wildfires in modern U.S. history. Also igniting on Feb. 26, the Windy Deuce fire destroyed parts of Fritch, Texas, and became a 58,380 hectare megafire. In all, hundreds of structures were destroyed, and nearly 12,000 head of cattle were reportedly lost. Unfortunately, two Texas residents were killed in the fires. While the loss of human life was tragic, officials believe that an integrated team approach to the provision of fire detections and warnings saved many lives.