Xcel Energy says its facilities appeared to have role in igniting largest wildfire in Texas history

The utility provider Xcel Energy says its facilities appeared to have played a role in igniting a massive wildfire in the Texas Panhandle that grew to the largest blaze in state history. The provider made the statement in a news release Thursday. The Smokehouse Creek fire has burned nearly 1,700 square miles and destroyed hundreds of structures. The Minnesota-based company also said in the statement that it disputes claims that “it acted negligently” in maintaining and operating infrastructure. The Texas A&M Forest Service says its investigators have concluded that power lines ignited the Smokehouse Creek and Windy Deuce fires.