Experts warn that the largest wildfires in Texas history currently threaten National and State Parks and the backcountry areas of Texas. The raging wildfires are causing massive destruction across vast swaths of the state, with parks and wildlands no exception to the risk. Users of parks and natural areas should check for the potential for restricted access to the natural areas of the Texas Panhandle region.
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott calls the damage from the Wildfires unprecedented destruction that has “wrought utter devastation upon the state.” Referencing the damage to ranches and wildland areas, Abbott stated, “When you look at the damages that are here, it’s just gone, completely gone. Nothing but ashes on the ground.”
Authorities report devastating losses to ranchers, with thousands of cattle reported as being killed. While the losses to wildlife in Texas parks and natural areas are yet to be evaluated, experts report that wildlife in these regions will have been heavily impacted. However, the weather is supposed to be favorable on Monday & Tuesday, with cooler conditions and calmer winds helping firefighters.
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area is one of the national parks at risk from the fires. However, officials are hopeful that cooler temperatures this week may help efforts to contain the blazes that are scorching the Panhandle Plains region of Texas. Other at-risk parks in this area include Copper Breaks, Cap Rock Canyon, and Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Visitors should check with authorities before attempting to access any of these areas, as road closures and evacuation orders are in place across the region. Texas A&M Forest Service offers resources for users planning to access impacted wildlife areas.
Loss of habitat for birds and other wildlife remains a serious concern. At the same time, the immediate danger to hoofed animals is already seen in the region’s cattle, horses, sheep, and goats. Respiratory ailments impact human populations and likewise pose a threat to wildlife in these areas.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire has incinerated more than 1 million acres of the Texas Panhandle and was still less than 20% contained as of March 4th. A new fire – the Roughneck Fire – also has crews racing against time to get resources to the area. Taller-than-average grass, high winds, and low humidity fuel the fires. The weather and land conditions are exactly what the fires thrive on.
The fire has also spilled into Oklahoma, scorching more than 31,500 acres near the border with Texas. Environmental impacts from a warming climate are being blamed for the fires. The heat sucks moisture from the grasses and brush, making it highly combustible. According to Kaitlyn Trudeau at Climate Central, the risk will only keep rising as long as the climate keeps warming.
Ironically, the method we have chosen to protect parks and wild spaces may have also contributed to the massive size of this fire. Before European settlement, fires on the Great Plains landscapes would have happened every few years, on average. According to Victoria Donovan, an assistant professor at the University of Florida, without that frequent exposure to fire, trees and other fuels have been allowed to flourish – increasing the heat that wildfires can generate when they do ignite.
While the damage to wildland areas is difficult to observe, regrowth could be faster than people expect. Historically, the area has been a region of resilient ecosystems, and where the grassland burns away the black surface, it will increase soil temperatures and speed up new growth. However, the risk of extended periods of drought is the next concern once the fires are contained.
The Most Impacted Areas Include:
- Hutchinson County is the site of the Smokehouse Creek Fire.
- Moore County, where the Windy Deuce Fire is ravaging the area.
- Gray County is suffering under the Grape Vine Creek Fire.
- Oldham County, with the Magenta Fire.
In the short term, these fires mean restricted access to the region’s parks and natural areas. Checking with weather services and updating local routes is essential before you travel. Even if evacuation alerts and restricted travel notices do not impact the areas visitors plan to travel to, experts warn that smoke throughout the northwest of Texas can cause respiratory concerns. In the long term, grassland and brush areas will require recovery time before outdoor users can enjoy the area.
