Utility company Xcel Energy admitted Thursday its equipment was likely “involved in an ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire,” which has now become the largest wildfire in Texas history after burning over 1 million acres of land in the state’s Panhandle region.In a statement, Xcel said it was cooperating with local law enforcement investigations and encouraged people who lost property or livestock to file claims with the company.
Although the company admitted its role in starting the blaze, it denied that it “acted negligently in maintaining and operating its infrastructure. The company also said it did not believe it was responsible for sparking the Windy Deuce Fire, which has burned over 144,000 acres in Fritch, Texas just southwest of the Smokehouse Creek Fire.
According to the company’s investigation, the fire has destroyed a total of 47 homes in Hemphill County and 17 homes in Roberts County—but Texas Governor Greg AbbottThat remains unclear. But Xcel’s admission comes only days after a homeowner in Hemphill County filed a lawsuit against the company, which alleges a poorly maintained wooden power pole sparked the blaze. The pole in question was preserved as evidence, and photos published byThe devastating Smokehouse Creek Fire was sparked on Feb.