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Table Of Contents
- Xcel Energy Acknowledges Role in Texas Smokehouse Creek Wildfire
- Texas Homeowners File Lawsuit Against Xcel for Failing to Maintain Power Lines
- Smokehouse Creek Fire Timeline
- Utility Provider Says Facilities Had Role in Sparking Texas Wildfires: FOX 4 News Video
- Texas Wildfire Statistics
- FAQs
- Get a Free Texas Wildfire Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers
Xcel Energy Acknowledges Role in Texas Smokehouse Creek Wildfire
March 8, 2024 – Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy on Thursday acknowledged its involvement in the Smokehouse Creek fire, which started last week and quickly became the largest wildfire in Texas history, burning over 1 million acres to date, according to the Texas Tribune [1.].
“Based on currently available information, Xcel Energy acknowledges that its facilities appear to have been involved in an ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire,” the company said in a statement. “We encourage people who had property destroyed by or livestock lost in the Smokehouse Creek fire to submit a claim to Xcel Energy through our claims process.”
Xcel Energy also mentioned the Windy Deuce fire, the second large fire threatening the Texas Panhandle that has burned over 142,000 acres. However, the company said it does not believe its facilities caused that fire and is not presently aware of any allegations.
Texas A&M Forest Service officials said they have concluded their investigation and determined that power lines sparked both the Smokehouse Creek and the Windy Deuce fires.
Last week, Xcel disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing that attorneys asked the company to preserve a fallen utility pole near where the fire may have started.
In the filing, Xcel stated that “investigations into origin, cause, and damage of the wildland fires burning in or near the service territory of SPS, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire, are underway.”
Texas Homeowners File Lawsuit Against Xcel for Failing to Maintain Power Lines
A lawsuit filed last week by homeowners in Texas is accusing Xcel Energy of neglecting to maintain its power lines.
Homeowner Melanie McQuiddy filed the complaint against Xcel in Hemphill County, alleging that a splintered pole sparked the fire when it fell.
Salem Abraham, a property owner in Canadian, told The Texas Tribune he plans to file a lawsuit against Xcel and Osmose Utility Services, a company that inspects Xcel’s equipment, for damages to his ranch and his brother’s land.
Smokehouse Creek Fire Timeline
The Smokehouse Creek Fire started on February 26, 2024, and is currently affecting parts of the Northeastern Texas panhandle and Western Oklahoma. The fire has impacted several communities in Hemphill and Roberts counties, including the town of Canadian.
As of March 8, 2024, it has burned approximately 1,058,482 acres (1,654 sq mi; 428,352 ha) and is 87% contained, making it the largest wildfire in Texas’s history dating back to 1988. It is also the largest wildfire in the United States in 2024.
The blaze is part of a series of wind-driven wildfires in the Great Plains. There have been at least 2 reported fatalities, one in Stinnett, Texas, about 74 mi northeast of Amarillo, and the other in Canadian, Texas.
Utility Provider Says Facilities Had Role in Sparking Texas Wildfires: FOX 4 News Video
Texas Wildfire Statistics
The following historical data reflects wildfire response for Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire departments. Prior to 2005, official wildfire data was not captured using current reporting methods.
| Year | Wildfires | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7,530 | 205,144 |
| 2022 | 12,411 | 650,712 |
| 2021 | 6,039 | 158,612 |
| 2020 | 7,233 | 256,750 |
| 2019 | 6,755 | 195,461 |
| 2018 | 10,423 | 527,707 |
| 2017 | 10,016 | 744,061 |
| 2016 | 9,209 | 299,738 |
| 2015 | 9,439 | 207,055 |
| 2014 | 9,671 | 134,947 |
| 2013 | 12,311 | 69,625 |
| 2012 | 13,225 | 159,265 |
| 2011 | 30,896 | 3,943,770 |
| 2010 | 13,213 | 328,847 |
| 2009 | 18,115 | 739,464 |
| 2008 | 21,176 | 1,626,087 |
| 2007 | 7,977 | 162,502 |
| 2006 | 23,275 | 1,975,295 |
| 2005 | 9,378 | 274,197 |
Source: Texas A&M Forest Service [2.]
FAQs
Can I receive compensation from my insurance for wildfire damage in Texas?
Yes, if you have insurance coverage for fire damage, you can file a claim to receive compensation for your losses. Your insurance company will assess the damage and provide compensation based on your policy terms.
What are the potential long-term effects of wildfire damage to property?
Long-term effects can include loss of property value, ongoing repair and restoration costs, emotional distress, and potential health issues from smoke and environmental damage.
How can I stay informed about updates on Texas wildfire lawsuits?
Stay informed by following news reports, subscribing to updates from legal and regulatory agencies, and checking the websites of law firms handling wildfire cases for the latest developments.
Get a Free Texas Wildfire Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers
The Personal Injury Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in Texas Wildfire Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting lawsuits in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one was injured, experienced property loss, or job loss, were denied insurance, or suffered other damages resulting from the 2024 Texas Wildfire, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a Texas Wildfire lawsuit and our lawyers can help you receive fair compensation.
References:
1. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/07/xcel-energy-texas-wildfires/
2. https://fire-information-tfsgis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/historical-fire-statistics
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