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Brooke McQuiddy looks through some of her mother, Melanie McQuiddy’s possessions recovered from the property. Melanie McQuiddy’s mobile home was on the lot in the background when the fire swept through. Canadian, Tx. residents were cleaning up and recovering from the massive wild fires that burned much of the northern Texas panhandle.

Texas requires utilities to plan for emergencies. That didn’t stop the Panhandle fires.

Experts say utilities need to be ready for extreme weather, which could be a challenge in a state where discussing climate change is often taboo.


Linemen work on repairing electrical lines Friday, March. 1, 2024, near Stinnett, Texas.
A broken power pole lays partially covered by blowing dirt caused by the rangeland nearby being burned, leaving the top layer of earth exposed, near Canadian, Texas, U.S., March 2, 2024. REUTERS/Leah Millis
A Baptist Southern Convention volunteer drives a Skid Steer to clear property owned by Melanie McQuiddy. These fence posts are all that remain of her property.. Canadian, Tx. residents were cleaning up and recovering from the massive wild fires that burned much of the northern Texas panhandle.
Brooke McQuiddy holds a gold chain recovered from her mother, Melanie McQuiddy’s property. Canadian, Tx. residents were cleaning up and recovering from the massive wild fires that burned much of the northern Texas panhandle.

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