The 2022 Texas Wildfires are a series of wildfires occurring in 2022 in the state of Texas. They include 371 individual fires occurring throughout Texas. [1] A total of 210,045 acres were burned in the 2022 Texas wildfires according to the Texas A&M Forest Service, with the largest fire being the Eastland Complex fire. [2]
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. [3] [4] Brad Smith of Texas A&M Forest Service notes this aligns with La Niña cycles, which intensify dryness and wind in winter into spring. [5]
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. [6] [7]
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. [8] This is further compounded by climate change, which has extended "fire weather"—days combining heat, dryness, and wind—raising wildfire potential across the state. [9]
| Eastland Complex fires of 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Date(s) | March 17, 2022 |
| Location | Central Texas |
| Statistics | |
| Total fires | 382 |
| Total area | 210,045 acres (85,002 ha) |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 1 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 1 |
| Structures destroyed | 50 |
| Damage | Unknown |
On March 17, 2022, a fire complex formed around 3 km (0 mi) SE of Romney. [10] It was claimed to have been started by drought condition and is now 90% contained. The biggest fire so far is the Kidd fire, burning about 42,333 acres. [11]
Smoke from the fires reached as far as Houston. [12]
A fast wildfire near Fort Cavazos burned about 33,000 acres and was 55% contained. [13]
Borrega Fire is the largest Texas fire since the Iron Mountain Fire in May 2011 and currently, 60,000 acres have been burned and was 95% contained.
The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), produced significant structural damage or casualties, or were otherwise notable.
| Name | County | Acres | Start date | Containment date | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastland Complex fires | Eastland, Comanche, Calhan | 54,463 | March 17, 2022 | April 8, 2022 | ||
| Ramsey Fire | Brown | 3,456 | March 17, 2022 | April 12, 2022 | ||
| Das Goat Fire | Medina | 1,092 | March 25, 2022 | April 15, 2022 | ||
| Borrega Fire | Kleberg | 51,566 | March 25, 2022 | April 15, 2022 | ||
| Coconut Fire | Wilbarger | 15,000 | May 17, 2022 | June 3, 2022 | ||
| Nethery Road Fire | Kimble | 3,262 | July 10, 2022 | July 21, 2022 | Unknown cause | [14] |
| Nelson Creek Fire | Walker | 1,896 | July 18, 2022 | July 25, 2022 | Unknown cause | [15] |
| Chalk Mountain Fire | Hood | 6,755 | July 18, 2022 | August 2, 2022 | Unknown cause | [16] |
| West Bend Fire | Wichita | 6,522 | July 19, 2022 | July 23, 2022 | Unknown cause | [17] |
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