- Date
- May 14, 2026
- County
- Randall County
- City / area
- Near Canyon, Texas Panhandle
- Event type
- Wildfire
- Acreage
- About 34,124 acres combined with the Chocolate Chip Fire (Texas A&M Forest Service, as reported May 18, 2026)
- Structures affected
- 7 occupied homes, 3 unoccupied homes and 13 other buildings lost (Texas A&M Forest Service, as reported May 18, 2026)
- Evacuations
- About 350 homes evacuated (Texas Division of Emergency Management, May 16, 2026)
- Last updated
- September 28, 2026
What happened
The Hunggate Fire started on May 14, 2026, near Canyon in Randall County. Texas A&M Forest Service officials said lightning from nearby storm cells started the fires in open rangeland, and high winds spread them quickly (ABC 7 Amarillo). Residents of the Canyon Prairie Mobile Home Park were evacuated and later allowed to return.
On May 16, 2026, the Texas Division of Emergency Management announced that FEMA had approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Hunggate Fire. At that time the state reported about 14,000 acres burned across the merged Hunggate and Chocolate Chip fires, 40% containment, approximately 350 homes evacuated and more than 1,245 homes threatened.
As of May 18, 2026, the Texas A&M Forest Service estimated the combined fire at 34,124 acres and 95% contained, according to the Amarillo Globe-News. The agency's assessment counted seven occupied homes and three unoccupied homes lost, along with 13 other buildings. It also reported homes and buildings with major and minor damage, and more than 600 homes saved.
Official incident information
- Started: May 14, 2026, near Canyon
- County: Randall
- Cause: Lightning
- Size: 34,124 acres combined with the Chocolate Chip Fire, 95% contained (Texas A&M Forest Service, as of May 18, 2026)
- Homes lost: 7 occupied and 3 unoccupied; 13 other buildings lost
- Evacuations: About 350 homes evacuated (TDEM, May 16, 2026)
- Federal assistance: FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant approved May 16, 2026
Property Insurance Considerations After a Smoke or Fire Event
Being near a wildfire does not mean a property has a covered claim. Whether any loss is covered depends on the policy language and the facts of what happened to the specific property. That said, owners of homes and buildings in or near an affected area often find it useful to document conditions early:
- Photograph and video the exterior, roof, fencing, outbuildings and landscaping, plus interior rooms, before anything is cleaned or thrown away.
- Note any smoke odor, soot or ash on surfaces, in attics, in HVAC returns and filters, and on contents such as clothing, furniture and electronics.
- Keep receipts for evacuation lodging, meals and other costs, and keep a record of the dates you were away from the property.
- Write down the dates of any evacuation orders and when you were allowed to return.
- Request a copy of your full policy, including endorsements, and report the loss to your insurer promptly.
For more on how these claims work, see smoke damage claims, fire damage claims and smoke-damaged contents.