Aerial view of destruction from wildfire in Fritch, Texas

An aerial video captured the devastating aftermath of the Windy Duece Fire in Fritch, Texas on February 28, 2024. The blaze destroyed over 100 homes in its path, from Fritch to Borger, Texas.

The Windy Duece Fire merged with the much larger Smokehouse Creek Fire, which began on February 26 and quickly grew into the second-largest fire in Texas history. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire had engulfed 343 983 ha (850 000 acres) by February 28, 2024.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire has now surpassed the Big Country fire of 1988, which burned 148 263 ha (366 000 acres), making it the second-largest fire in Texas history. The East Amarillo Complex fire of 2006 remains the largest fire on record, consuming over 367 223 ha (907 000 acres).

Tragically, one person has died as a result of the fire in Stinnett, according to Hutchinson County Public Engagement Coordinator Deidra Thomas on February 28.

The wildfires affecting Hutchinson County and its neighboring areas have impacted at least 100 homes, as reported by Moore County’s Emergency Management Coordinator Tommy Brooks.

Thomas also noted the destruction of at least 20 structures in Stinnett, several structures outside Borger’s city limits, and numerous structures in Fritch, a city located within both Hutchinson and Moore counties.

The video below shows satellite views of the fires on February 27 and 28:

Featured image credit: Live Storms Media (stillshot)