Firefighters are true heroes, risking their lives to protect others and their property from devastating wildfires. Captain Beau Moreno of the Houston Fire Department recently returned home after assisting with the historic Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Texas panhandle. This wildfire burned over one million acres for nearly three weeks, making it the largest wildfire in Texas history.
During his time battling the flames, Moreno and his team witnessed the destruction firsthand. They saw miles and miles of blackened land, with trees stripped down to the soil. They worked tirelessly, from sun up to sun down, to contain the fire and protect homes and families in the area.
One heartbreaking aspect of their work was sifting through the ashes to help families find their belongings. Moreno described the emotional toll of seeing people lose everything they had worked for, but also witnessing their resilience and gratitude for still being alive.
As he returned home, Moreno reflected on the magnitude of the destruction he witnessed. It’s almost unimaginable, he said, to see so many homes and acres of land burned to the ground. This deployment was the largest for wildfires in Texas since 2011, during the Bastrop fires near Austin.
The bravery and dedication of firefighters like Beau Moreno remind us of the sacrifices they make to protect our communities in times of crisis. Their selflessness and commitment to serving others are truly admirable. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their tireless efforts in the face of danger.