Current largest fires: Elderly couple dead, homes destroyed, blaze continue

It’s been a tough year for fires across the U.S. Since January 1 through April 13, there have been 18,255 fires that have burned 786,295 acres. This is almost twice the acreage burn during the same period in 2021 and almost four times as much as in 2019 and 2020.

We often talk about the optimal weather conditions that can spread fires and make them uncontrollable. Another condition that causes fires to start and keep going is dry vegetation and drought conditions.

The largest incidents are happening in areas where the drought is intense. The Central Plains, and New Mexico are under severe to exceptional drought conditions.

Although there are many other smaller fires going on, as of April 14, 2022, there are 19 large incidents across the U.S.

The largest fire, burning 35,000 acres is happening in Nebraska. The blaze called “Road 739” remains at 75% contained. It is located 7.2 miles west-southwest of Smithfield and has been burning for at least the last week. There have been evacuation orders and the fire has smoldered several rural homes and outbuildings with farm equipment inside. Animals have been killed.

The fire chief, Darren Krull of the Elwood Volunteer Fire Department, died on Thursday, 7 April 2022, when the SUV he was traveling in, crashed into a water truck in “zero-visibility conditions” created by the smoke, the Nebraska State Patrol said.

In New Mexico, an elderly couple trying to flee the McBride Fire in Ruidoso died on Tuesday. This fire had burned over 5,300 acres and destroyed more than150 structures. The gusts exceeding 50 mph made it really tough for firefighters on Tuesday to battle the blaze.

5,000 residents have been evacuated from Ruidoso, a resort town of about 8,000 residents. The McBride fire has destroyed the most properties in New Mexico in a decade.

Another fire that quickly grew on Tuesday because of the strong winds was the Hermits Peak located about 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas, N.M. It had burned nearly 6,300 acres as of Tuesday evening and the fire is 10 percent contained. Over 350 fire personnel continue to combat it. The San Miguel County Sheriff´s Office has issued several evacuation orders for those residents in Las Dispensas, Pendaries Village, San Ignacio, Las Tusas, Lone Pine Mesa, Canoncito, La Canada, Manuelitas, Lower Canyon Road in Gallinas Canyon, and La Tewa, Chavez, County A3, Southwest Sapello, and Southern Tierra Monte-Canyon. While there are some adjacent areas that are on alert and should be ready as soon as evacuation orders are issued.

In Texas, the biggest fire burning is located about 15 miles north of San Antonio. About 3,000 acres have burned in Bexar County and it is at 85 percent contained as of Wednesday evening. This fire will likely continue to burn rapidly today as there are elevated to critical fire weather conditions. Very low humidity levels and gusty winds, up to 25 mph will be present through the evening hours.