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Investigation by forest service into Smokehouse Creek fire says decayed Xcel Energy pole ‘had broken off at ground level’The biggest wildfire in Texas state history, which killed two people and scorched more than 1m acres, was caused by a power line pole that had decayed at the base, an investigation has concluded.The finding comes from a Texas A&M forest service investigation into the Smokehouse...

Governor issues disaster declaration as emergency crews work to contain dozens of wildfires burning across Texas PanhandleDozens of wildfires are causing chaos across the Texas Panhandle as the Smokehouse Creek fire – now the largest blaze in state history – grew to more than 1mn acres on Thursday, even as a dusting of snow brought a measure of relief.At least two people have died,...

People who lost loved ones or were injured may be eligible for payout from fund announced Tuesday – but there’s a catchHawaii governor Josh Green unveiled on Tuesday a multimillion-dollar fund to compensate families of people who were killed on Maui during the deadliest wildfire in the nation in more than a century.The announcement marks the first phase of the $175m One Ohana Fund...

Unseasonably warm temperatures, strong winds and dry grasses fuel Smokehouse Creek fire, the largest in the stateThe main facility that assembles and disassembles America’s nuclear arsenal shut down its operations on Tuesday night as fires raged out of control in Texas.Pantex issued a statement online saying it had paused operations until further notice. “The fire near Pantex is not contained,” the company said. “Response...

Identifying those who died has been arduous, with forensic experts and cadaver dogs sifting through ashHawaii officials said Friday that they had identified the last of the 100 known victims of the wildfire that destroyed Lahaina in August.The victim was Lydia Coloma, 70, Maui police said. Continue reading...