The 2021 Texas wildfires were a series of wildfires in Texas in 2021.
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The 2021 Texas wildfires were a series of wildfires in Texas in 2021.
From Mid-February to Mid-April, vegetation is often dead or dormant. Combined with dry winds, low humidity, and La Niña-related conditions, fuels can ignite more easily—and once started, fires spread rapidly due to these atmospheric patterns. This timeframe sees elevated wildfire activity in the absence of vegetation green-up. [1] [2] Brad Smith of Texas A&M Forest Service notes this aligns with La Niña cycles, which intensify dryness and wind in winter into spring. [3]
From March to May, as vegetation greens up and then dries, especially after a wet winter, the combination of abundant grass fuel, warmer, drier weather, and occasional lightning can ignite severe wildfires. These months contribute to a significant proportion of the state's largest fires. [4] [5]
Over time, Texas has seen a trend toward year-round wildfire risk, driven by changing land use, climate trends, and increased human activity. According to Fire Chief Wes Moorehead, what used to be two distinct seasons have blurred, as fire conditions now show up in all months. [6] This is further compounded by climate change, which has extended "fire weather"—days combining heat, dryness, and wind—raising wildfire potential across the state. [7]
A total of 20,478 acres burned in the 2021 Texas wildfires. This is a list of fires that have burned over 1,000 acres.
| Name | County | Acres | Start date | Containment date | Notes | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bent Twig | Shackelford | 1,100 | February 5 | March 8 | First large fire of the year | [8] | |
| King | Brooks | 11,278 | March 17 | March 20 | [9] | ||
| Baffin | Kenedy | 4,800 | March 20 | March 21 | [10] | ||
| South Rim 4 | Brewster | 1,341 | April 8 | May 5 | [11] | ||
| Dog | Culberson | 1,959 | May 11 | July 6 | Lightning-caused | [12] [13] | |
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