“It does not get easier”: Texas ranchers lose cattle and land in historic wildfires
As ranchers recover from the Smokehouse Creek fire, they face the agonizing choice of what to do with an unknown number of injured cattle. Full Story
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Jayme Lozano Carver
Reporter/South Plains and Panhandle
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Jayme Lozano Carver is the Tribune’s first Lubbock-based reporter, covering the South Plains and Panhandle through a partnership with Report for America. Jayme previously worked for Texas Tech Public Media, Lubbock’s NPR station, where she spearheaded “Rural Healthcare: The Other Texas Drought,” a series for PBS’ “Frontline” on rural hospital closures in Texas. She also covered a broad range of topics for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, including climate change, agriculture, entertainment and health care. Born in Levelland, Jayme is a native of the South Plains area and studied at South Plains College and Texas Tech University. She loves to talk about her cats, horror movies and pro wrestling.
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![Cattle stand in the burn scar from the Smokehouse Creek fire Sunday, March. 3, 2024, in Hemphill County, Texas.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
Texas legislative committee to investigate cause of Panhandle wildfires
The panel of three lawmakers and two residents will also look at disaster preparedness. Full Story
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![Charred ground left by the Smokehouse Creek fire after the fire burned through Currie Smith’s ranch Sunday, March. 3, 2024, in Hemphill County, Texas.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
Texas firefighters closer to extinguishing Panhandle wildfires
As crews fight to keep deadly blazes under control, weather conditions could increase risk of more fires. Full Story
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![A Chinook helicopter responds to the Roughneck fire near Sanford on March. 3, 2024.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
As their neighbors fled, these Texas volunteer firefighters raced toward the flames
The wildfires offers a reminder that most of rural Texas is protected by volunteers. And there aren’t many of them. Full Story
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![Local firefighters work to contain a wildfire after it was whipped up by high winds in Pampa on March 2, 2024.]()
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Xcel Energy acknowledges role in Texas’ Smokehouse Creek wildfire
The Smokehouse Creek Fire has grown to be the largest in state history. Full Story
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![A drone view shows firefighters spraying trees with water after the Smokehouse Creek fire burned through the area in Roberts County, on Feb. 28, 2024.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Nathan Frandino -
State calls for investigation into cause of Texas Panhandle wildfires
As officials try to determine a cause for the wildfires, a Canadian homeowner filed a lawsuit blaming an energy company for the destruction. And more are expected. Full Story
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![Texas Governor Greg Abbott, center, speaks at a press conference with Nim Kidd chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, left, and Hutchinson County Judge Cindy Irwin, right, Friday, March. 1, 2024, in Borger, Texas.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
New Panhandle wildfire emerges, forcing evacuation of tiny town of Sanford
Get the latest updates as firefighters continue battling massive fires that have burned more than 1 million acres. Full Story
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![A plane prepares drops retardant on the Roughneck fire near Sanford on Sunday, March. 3, 2024.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
Texans in the Panhandle recall towering smoke and darkened skies as wildfires crept near their towns
The fires have left at least two people dead and four injured firefighters. Cattle have been lost and homes and businesses decimated in their wake. Full Story
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![A car sits front of the burned the Rose Trailer Sales business on State Highway 136. Residents have been working to recover from the Tuesday grass fires that devastated parts of the panhandle.]()
Credit: Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribune -
Texas wildfires continue growing as firefighters struggle to contain massive Panhandle blazes
The five fires have burned more than a million acres — more than double the landmass of Houston — as residents have fled or sheltered in place. Full Story
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![Wildfires have erupted in the Texas Panhandle this week.]()
Credit: Screenshot from Texas A&M Forest Service video -
Rural housing programs serve Texas’ elderly and disabled. This federal bill could make the process easier.
Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett introduced House Bill 7412 to fix administrative issues that have created hurdles for some in rural communities. Full Story
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![Homes under construction in a future neighborhood Wednesday, April. 26, 2023, near Wolfforth in Lubbock County.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune