KILLEEN, Texas — In response to the historic Smokehouse Creek wildfire raging through the Texas Panhandle, the City of Killeen Fire Department will host a press conference on Friday, March 15.
The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Central Fire Station located at 201 South 28th St.
The Smokehouse Creek fire has made headlines as the largest wildfire in the state's history, scorching over a million acres across both Texas and Oklahoma. Currently, the fire is reported to be at least 89% contained.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the wildfire was ignited from power lines amidst rough terrain and unfavorable weather conditions.
During the press conference, firefighters will be available to answer questions from the media and share insights from their experiences working alongside joint teams and aiding affected residents.
Killeen's Fire Department sprang into action by deploying six firefighters, along with a brush truck and a team of three to one of the fire clusters on February 26.
Additional support included a Strike Team leader and utility vehicle dispatched to Canadian, Texas, on February 27, followed by another Strike Team leader and utility vehicle activation on February 28. Furthermore, a TX-TF1 team member was activated for mobilization orders from College Station.
Presently, 70 counties have put in place burn bans, and Texans are urged to exercise caution and limit activities that could potentially spark further fires, prioritizing the safety of their loved ones.