One year after the Smokehouse Creek wildfire torched more than a million acres of Texas Panhandle land, state lawmakers are pushing a package of reforms to prevent a similar disaster from unfolding again.
The wildfire, which ignited in February 2024 under a perfect storm of dry conditions, high winds, and warm temperatures, became the largest in Texas history. It spread at an alarming rate of six to eight miles per hour, eventually crossing state lines into Oklahoma. By the time it was contained, the fire had burned 1.058 million acres, decimating 80% of Hemphill and Roberts counties.
An investigation traced the source of the fire to a decayed wooden utility pole owned by Xcel Energy. When the pole snapped, power lines fell into the dry brush below, sparking the inferno. The Texas House Investigative Committee on the Panhandle Wildfires concluded that inadequate maintenance of electric infrastructure—along with other wildfires ignited by power lines and oil and gas equipment—played a central role in the disaster.
The fire left a deep scar on the region, with damages exceeding $1 billion. Ranchers lost an estimated 15,000 heads of cattle, and many families were left homeless. The economic and environmental consequences continue to unfold, with rising insurance premiums adding to the long-term fallout.
Addressing the Gaps in Prevention and Response
In response, State Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian) has introduced a legislative package aimed at strengthening wildfire prevention, improving emergency response coordination, and ensuring accountability among utility providers.
The bills under consideration include:
House Bill (HB) 13 – Establishing the Texas Interoperability Council to improve emergency communication across localities and provide grants for upgrades.
HB 143 – Requiring the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Railroad Commission to coordinate efforts to fix or disconnect frayed power lines near wellsites and other oil and gas operations.
HB 144 – Mandating that electric companies develop and report a utility pole replacement plan to the state.
HB 145 – Allowing utility companies to self-insure against wildfire-related damages.
“These bills are part of a larger effort to strengthen Texas’ wildfire prevention, response, and recovery efforts after the devastating fires we’ve seen across the state, and especially in House District 88,” King said in a social media statement following a legislative hearing.
The investigative committee's report recommended several additional measures, including:
Increasing oversight of oil and gas operators with abandoned or poorly maintained infrastructure.
Accelerating the replacement of aging utility poles.
Deploying advanced technologies to monitor fire-prone areas and predict wildfire conditions.
Boosting funding for rural and volunteer fire departments.
Establishing a state-owned aerial firefighting fleet to improve wildfire suppression.
Public Input and Next Steps
During a recent hearing before the State Affairs Committee, numerous individuals and industry representatives provided testimony on the proposed legislation. While many supported the need for stronger prevention and response efforts, some stakeholders raised concerns about implementation challenges and regulatory burdens.
King acknowledged that revisions to the bills would be made based on public feedback before moving forward with the legislative process.
