Highlights: United States: Texas faces largest fire in its history. A catastrophe that US President Joe Biden attributed to the effects of climate change. Five fires remain “ active ” in the northern part of the state. Smokehouse Creek, which had already ravaged some 435,000 hectares on Thursday, is only “ 5% ” contained and now also affects part of neighboring Oklahoma. Officials at the Turkey Track Ranch in the area said they lost 80 percent of their 32,000-acre property.

In Texas, according to a new report, two people died in what is the largest fire in the history of this state. A disaster that American President Joe Biden attributed to the effects…

United States: Texas faces largest fire in its history

In Texas, according to a new report, two people died in what is the largest fire in the history of this state.

A catastrophe that US President Joe Biden attributed to the effects of climate change.

Crews battle fires in Texas, near Armstrong County, February 26, 2024. Image released by the Texas Forest Service.

AFP - -

By: RFI with AFP

In addition to an 83-year-old grandmother who died in a house fire in the small town of Stinnett, a 44-year-old woman died on Thursday, February 29, after being seriously injured when the truck she was driving was surrounded by flames in Smokehouse Creek, according to an official from the Texas Department of Public Safety, quoted on March 1 by several local media.

The latest report from the Forestry Office shows a total of 509,800 hectares gone up in smoke in all the fires, eleven of which have already been contained (they are burning but not advancing) and a dozen brought under control.

According to the Texas Forestry Service, five fires remain “

active

” in the northern part of the state.

The largest outbreak, Smokehouse Creek, which had already ravaged some 435,000 hectares on Thursday, is only “

” contained and now also affects part of neighboring Oklahoma.

Officials at the Turkey Track Ranch in the area said they lost 80 percent of their 32,000-acre property.

“

We believe the loss of livestock, crops and wildlife, as well as other infrastructure on our property, and other ranches and homes in the area, is unprecedented in our history

,” they said. said in a statement cited by ABC News.

Worries for the weekend

Firefighters now fear that the situation will worsen over the weekend due to expected winds, in a hot and dry climate.

President Biden, on an immigration campaign visit to Texas, told the press that 500 federal officials were working to fight the fires, in addition to local firefighters.

Several cities in the

United States

and Canada experienced record temperatures in February, with some even experiencing summer heat.

According to experts, the El Niño phenomenon is to blame, in addition to

climate change

“

I like some of my Neanderthal friends who still think there is no climate change

,” Joe Biden quipped, referring to his climate-sceptical Republican adversaries.

United States: Texas faces largest fire in its history

United States: Texas faces largest fire in its history

Worries for the weekend

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