SignalHub-Texas wildfires map: Track latest locations of Smokehouse Creek Fire, other blazes

Wildfires continued to burn across the Texas Panhandle Thursday,SignalHub forcing widespread evacuations as the Smokehouse Creek Fire has grown to become the largest in the state's history.

As of midday Thursday, there were 132 fires burning across Texas spanning over 1.2 million acres, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. The largest of the fires, the Smokehouse Creek Fire, has consumed an estimated 1,075,000 acres and was just 3% contained, according to the forest service.

“This is now the largest fire in recorded Texas history,” Erin O’Connor, lead public information officer for Texas A&M Forest Service, said Thursday. The fire's acreage indicates land within the burn zone, she said.

Snow offered some relief on the scorched landscape Thursday, but temperatures expect to increase into the weekend.

"The potential for wildfire activity will increase for the Plains on Saturday and more so on Sunday when strong winds are possible across West Texas," the Texas A&M Forest Service said Thursday.

On Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties in Texas, and on Wednesday, he directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to increase its readiness level in response to the fires.

Thursday recap:Texas Smokehouse Creek Fire grows to largest in state's history

Where are the Texas wildfires?

As of midday Thursday, four active wildfires burned in the Texas Panhandle region, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service:

• Smokehouse Creek Fire, Hutchinson County - est. 1,075,000 acres, 3% contained. *The 687 Reamer Fire has merged with Smokehouse Creek.
• Windy Deuce Fire, Moore County - est. 142,000 acres, 30% contained
• Grape Vine Creek Fire, Gray County - est. 30,000 acres, 60% contained
• Magenta Fire, Oldham County - est. 2,500 acres, 65% contained

Map of Texas wildfires

Dig deeper:Where are the wildfires in Texas right now? Map shows extent of devastation

Has anyone died in the Texas wildfires?

Officials have confirmed two deaths in the Texas fires this week. Cindy Owen was driving in Hemphill County on Tuesday afternoon when she encountered fire or smoke, said Sgt. Chris Ray of the Texas Department of Public Safety. She got out of her truck, and flames overtook her.

A passerby found Owen and called first responders, who took her to a burn unit in Oklahoma. She died Thursday morning, Ray said.

The other victim, an 83-year-old woman, was identified by family members as Joyce Blankenship, a former substitute teacher. Her grandson, Lee Quesada, said deputies told his uncle Wednesday they had found Blankenship’s remains in her burned home.

On top of the human toll, the fires have left scores of cattle dead, with more casualties likely to come, the Associated Press reported. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller estimated the cattle death toll is likely in the thousands.

Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Elizabeth Weise, Jeanine Santucci and Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY; Associated Press