Wind turbine catches fire near Taft and Portland, Texas
EIR-1099Provisional entry. Confirmed: a wind turbine caught fire between Taft and Portland, Texas, on 23 February 2020, with no reported injuries. Not yet known: the owner or operator, the turbine model, the extent of damage and the cause. Next update: 19 September 2026.
A wind turbine caught fire along County Road 3367 between Taft and Portland, Texas, a little after 5pm local time on 23 February 2020. Video showed flames and smoke coming from the turbine. Local officials at the scene said they had no choice but to let the fire burn itself out, and were working to identify the turbine's owner so the electricity supply could be switched off. The surrounding area was kept clear in case debris fell from the burning structure. No injuries were reported. The cause was not known at the time of reporting and the report was described as developing.
Not reported.
- Officials at this incident reported that they could only let the fire burn itself out, a common constraint where a fire is at height on a turbine.
- Rapid identification of asset ownership matters so that isolation of the electrical supply can be arranged quickly in an emergency.
- Exclusion zones around a burning turbine protect the public and responders from falling debris.
Published 2026-09-19. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.