Catastrophic Wildfire: Operation Blessing Arrives in Texas Panhandle Bringing Aid and Prayer

A catastrophic wildfire burning through the Texas Panhandle has quickly become the largest wildfire in the state’s history continuing to threaten homes, cattle, and livelihoods every second that it continues to burn.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire, which broke out earlier this week, has extended to nearly 1.1 million acres scorching rural ranchlands and destroying homes, firefighters said Thursday. 

“This is now both the largest and most destructive fire in Texas history,” the West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department wrote on Facebook. “It is also the second largest wildfire in U.S. history.” 

The fire has merged with another blaze and is only three percent contained – signs that the blaze is far from over. 

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It’s not clear what started the fire which has burned since Monday and has grown with extreme speed. 

The full extent of the damage remains unknown as well, but land about the size of Delaware is scorched as homes and herds have been destroyed. 

The owners of the Turkey Track Ranch, a historic Texas ranch, estimate that 80% of their pastures, plains, and creek bottom vegetation have been

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