Singleton Schreiber is investigating the situation surrounding the Smokehouse Creek Fire currently affecting thousands of people in the Texas panhandle. This page will be continuously updated as new information becomes available.
March 7th: Xcel Energy acknowledged its involvement in ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire, stating that its facilities appear to have been involved.
March 1st: According to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Filing, investigators have informed Xcel Energy that a fallen utility pole in Southwestern Public Service Company, one of the four operating companies of Xcel Energy Inc., territory may be a possible cause. The notice requested that the fallen utility pole be preserved for investigation.
At 2:20 p.m. on February 26th, 2024, a fire ignited one mile north of Stinnett, Texas. Fueled by dry grass and propelled by strong winds, the fire – now known as the Smokehouse Creek Fire – grew exponentially, burning over 1 million acres of land across the Texas Panhandle and into neighboring Oklahoma. As of March 4th, the Smokehouse Creek Fire is the largest wildfire in Texas history.
As the Texas A&M Forestry Service and local officials work to contain the Smokehouse Creek Fire, the blaze has killed at least two people, destroyed scores of homes and businesses, and killed thousands of livestock animals. According to the Associated Press, nearly 30,000 people live within the perimeter of the fire, and smoke attributed to it has been observed as far away as Minnesota.
If you or a loved one have been affected by the Smokehouse Creek Fire, Singleton Schreiber may be able to help. Our Texas wildfire attorneys can help you understand what your legal options are, connect you with resources and social services, and develop a strategy to recover compensation for your losses, whether you have insurance or not. We have offices throughout Texas, including Lubbock, Hereford, Post, and Amarillo.
Call (806) 602-2450 (ADVERTISING) or fill out a case evaluation form today for a free and confidential consultation.
Disclaimer: This website is an advertisement for Singleton Schreiber.
How Singleton Schreiber Can Help Those Affected by the Smokehouse Creek Fire
Singleton Schreiber is an experienced wildfire litigation firm. Since 2007, we’ve played a significant role in litigation for nearly every single major wildfire in the Western United States. During that time, we’ve helped over 20,000 individuals and businesses pursue compensation from entities responsible for wildfires.
- We understand how devastating these events are and how profoundly they impact victims’ lives and we take our role in the recovery process extremely seriously.
- We assign a case manager to every client and have a social worker on staff to connect them with vital social services during and in the aftermath of emergencies.
Whether you lost your home, your business, or were injured as a result of the Smokehouse Creek Fire, you should not be responsible for the losses. Once you are safe, contact an experienced wildfire attorney at Singleton Schreiber. We can help you put a plan in place to move forward after a catastrophic loss.
Disclaimer: This website is an advertisement for Singleton Schreiber.
What Areas Are Affected by the Fire?
As of March 4th, the Smokehouse Creek Fire perimeter covers 1,070,000 acres and includes the previously separate 687 Reamer Fire. According to the Western Fire Cheifs Association, it is the largest fire in Texas history and the second-largest in U.S. history.
Currently, the Smokehouse Creek Fire is over 90 miles wide and its perimeter stretches across parts of Hutchinson, Roberts, Hemphill, Carson, Gray, and Wheeler counties.
Due to the complexity of the fire, there are no current details available about the number and types of structures that have been affected or destroyed at this time. However, the Associated Press estimates that there are over 14,000 homes inside the perimeter. Evacuation orders were in place for the town of Canadian, Texas but have since been lifted.
What Caused the Smokehouse Creek Fire?
It appears that utility owned power transmission equipment was the cause of the Smokehouse Creek wildfire. On March 7th, Xcel Energy indicated that its equipment was involved in the ignition of the massive fire. Much like the Maui Wildfires, a combination of extremely dry grass, unseasonably warm temperatures, and powerful winds allowed the fire to rage uncontrollably across the state.
What Legal Options Do Smokehouse Creek Fire Victims Have?
Wildfires are devastating, destructive events that can impact your life in a number of ways. While insurance coverage may be available to cover some losses, significant wildfires like the Smokehouse Creek Fire almost always result in losses that exceed or fall outside insurance coverage.
In these situations, victims may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the entity or entities responsible for causing the fire in the first place.
Such losses can include:
- Wrongful Death from Fire or Smoke
- Serious Burns
- Hospitalization as a result of burn injury, smoke inhalation, or other serious injury
- Long-Term Health Effects
- Psychological Impact
- Evacuation expenses
- Home Loss, whether owned or rented
- Structure Loss
- Significant Property Damage, including Damage from Smoke, Soot, or Ash
- Damage to Timber, Trees, Vegetation or Landscaping
- Economic or Agricultural Loss
- Animal loss, both pets and livestock. As much as 85 percent of cattle in Texas is raised in the panhandle
- Damage to Infrastructure
- Business Loss
- Business Interruption or Loss
- Housing Market Impacts
- And more
Contact a Smokehouse Creek Wildfire Attorney For More Information
At this time, the Smokehouse Creek Fire is actively burning and the situation is rapidly evolving. Officials estimate that it may be weeks until it is fully contained.
If you or a loved one have been affected or sustained losses as a result, Texas wildfire attorneys at Singleton Schreiber can help. Call (806) 602-2450 (ADVERTISING) as soon as you are ready for a consultation.