"Officials: Power Lines Sparked Texas' Largest Wildfire"

Xcel Energy acknowledged that its facilities appeared to have ignited the massive Texas Panhandle wildfires, including the historic Smokehouse Creek fire, but disputed claims of negligence in maintaining and operating infrastructure. The blazes destroyed homes, killed livestock, and prompted evacuations, with two confirmed fatalities and a fire chief's death while responding to a house fire. The Texas A&M Forest Service's investigation concluded that power lines ignited the fires, and a lawsuit alleged that a downed power line sparked the Smokehouse Creek fire. Containment levels are increasing, but high winds are expected to increase fire danger in the dry landscape.