How are you folks holding up in Texas???

We have one going about 2 miles from here, and it seems to be pretty large.

There's a four lane highway and a river between it and me so that is some comfort, but I do have a forest that backs right up to my house.

My wife spent the day gathering all of our irreplaceable papers and photos into one location and I'm trying to wrap my mind around how I'll throw my tools into the back of my truck. I guess I'll push the 54 out of the garage and into the street if worse comes to worse. It probably has a better chance there.

I've lived in Texas all my life and in the Houston area since 1997 and this is a bad situation. I have an acre of native forest behind my house that backs up to 800 acres of privately held forest land. On my acre, I've lost 12 beautiful old trees due to the drought...maples, oaks, magnolias and a holly. It's breaking my heart.

I guess if there's one tiny little bit of positive to this it's that most of the dead trees were in the prime spot where I initially wanted my shop to go. I changed my mind after seeing the beautiful trees in that area and moved my future shop location to my second choice area. Now, however, mother nature has done what I didn't have the heart to do and I'll be able to put my shop where I really wanted it.

 

We sure could use a tropical depression

 

I work right off of Hwy 281 and Stone Oak Parkway - where the fire is, it doesn't compare to the size of the one in Bastrop but they evacuated work today. It was a nice "cool" 69 degrees this morning so I took the '59 all the way out there today. I left work at 2pm and heard people were evacuated starting at 5:30pm. When I was leaving the fire was just getting started, smoke everywhere. I didn't think much of it at the time...

Just hope everyone is safe.

Kind of ironic the fire started in San Antonio was caused by a water truck that bottomed out in a rut and his exhaust caught the dry ground on fire. We haven't had any decent rain in a very long time. it's stupidly dry here...,.

 

If your wife needs any help I'm in spring let me know.

 

Its dry all over Texas. We have had a bunch of fires and The P.K. fires are real close to us and have gotten all the smoke. No hay this year and the horse sale a few weeks ago was sad. Saw some awsome horses go for nothing. And just good old kid horses were going for a dollar. Its sad seeing these hard working people getting rid of animals they love but cant afford to feed them.

 

That's the one I'm watching....it's headed my way, but it has to cross the San Jacinto River to get to me, so I think we're probably ok.

 

It has been tense here. I am about 10 miles from the big fire in Bastrop, and there are smaller fires all around. The wind has finally subsided which should give the firefighters a chance of containing the fires. There are no words to acurately describe what is happening.

 

My thoughts & prayers have been with all of my Texas friends since I first heard about this. Tragic for all concerned.

Stay safe...your life, and the lives of your family members are more important than any possessions.

Jonnie King

 

Praying and hoping that everyone is ok....

 

We have a raging fire 3 miles South and the only thing keeping it off our ranch is the wind.Last night they evacuated 8,000 and shut down the schools today for the people to have a place to stay.Spent all day in my fields disking up a fire lane which will only slow it down at best but at least its something. We packed up as much important things as possible and are on stand by. I have several friends ready to help move our cars out of harms way if necessary and now all we have is a waiting game. Our fields made no hay this year due to drought and are no more than a tinder box. This stuff burns like a gallon of gas and just as fast. Our friends to the West in Bastrop are catching hell with a 16 mile long and 6 mile wide fire still out of controll and let me tell you those fmilys need prayers and all you have time to give.

 

I am in Bastrop right now at the shelter and it aint pretty.We got evacuated on sun afternoon. then on monday we got evacuated at our inlaws place. We dont have a clue if we even have a home to go to. wont know til wed or thurs. But we are safe with our 2 dogs. I will try to post an update later.

 

The range fires and drought has brought out warnings about RATTLE SNAKES. Rattle snakes are fleeing the fires and are desperate for food and are moving into populated areas. Texas has become HELL ON EARTH

A little Texas History: There was a record 10 year drought that started in 1883 which put many open range cattlemen out of business. They sold sell their herds to anyone who would buy them. My g.grandfather was a teamster and cowboy on the Sol V. Mace Ranch in Lampasas County Texas and lived with his family in a range cabin on the Lampasas River. That river was the only source of water for 20 miles and it ran dry in 1890 and he sent his family to town. Windmills were introduced in 1885 which saved some landowners such as Solon Volney Mace. In 1893, Mace retired and sold out to the Asa Langford. The Langford and Gholson Ranch then covered parts of three counties.

 

Im in North East Texas, and there is smoke everywhere. Im getting worried......... There is a big fire on 135 thats been going for a couple days. Lots of land, and homes totally destroyed.

I dont think I could leave if I was told to evacuate. Lets hope it dont come to that. I have 100 yds of water hose, and will do everything I can to save my home and shop.

I have never seen things in this condition, and it is obvious how out of control the situation has become.... Lord, if your listining, HELP. WE NEED SOME RAIN.!!!!

 

dito

 

Bishop, I hope it works out well for you, but don't fool around and try to fight this kind of fire by yourself. A 100ft garden hose will do nothing. If you are told to evacuate, do it asap. Seriously, don't fool around. You will not be any match for this kind of fire and smoke.

Hope everyone can stay safe. Stuff can be rebuilt and replaced. It looks pretty nasty, that is for sure. Best of luck to all in the area.

 

Really don't know if I could survive such a long run of temps over 100 F.... I think I might have experienced spontaneous human combustion by now.

Beer might have helped

No wonder everything down there is burning.

 

I wish all you folks in Texas the best of luck. It really does sound like Hell on earth down there lately,as someone said earlier.

 

I have Family and FHAMBily there. Wish you all the best on this.

 

Another thing to keep in mind is the Texas Forest Service guys.

My neighborhood is small and very close....we've been through two hurricanes together and we all know each other.

The guy three doors down from me (Jacob) works for the Texas Forest Service and I honestly don't know how that guy is still standing. He comes home occassionally looking like death warmed over, gets a meal and a bath, sleeps for a couple hours then heads back out into it.

He keeps feeding his wife updates on the fires that might affect us so that she can give us all the high sign if we need to start moving.

Pray for Texas and the fine men and women of the Texas Forest Service.

 

We're all praying....

 

Still very smokey here,I hope they have the one here under control by now,, Helicopters with water bags flew over my house all day yesterday,,our Fire chief and his men have not slept in two days,,Their water truck keeps coming here by my house to fill at the hydrant 50 yards up the road from me..ash falling in the yard also.my next door neighbor moved all their belonging out till its allover..I couldnt move all my stuff if I wanted to..too many old cars,,Haha

 

I was watching the smoke from my backyard, its not around me yet, and hope not, live in Pinehurst. But when we got an automatic call and seeing the smoke from the backyard, I went ahead and started moving my stuff. The wife loaded the R.V. down with irreplaceables, and I moved my wifes 76 scout, My 53 ford truck, Jet boat, to my brother in laws and loaded the Model a. I finished ab out 1:00 Tuesday morning. I fiqured would not wait untill somebody knocks on the door and says you have 10 minutes to leave .

WBRW32 if you need a place to put something, I can come up with a place, if you need it or if you need a hand let me know. FIRE SUCKS .

 

This is from Sunday night after we left Outlaw's house in Bastrop headed to Austin. We thought there was finally weather and rain rolling in because of the black clouds until we saw the tip of the flames.

Good luck everyone and be safe.
TZ

 

Now they're saying the more than 600 homes have been destroyed and the death toll went up to 4 people so far... The cops are looking for 3 teens that started the fire... Idiots!!

 

This is a big favor I know, but I'll go ahead and ask.

Is there anyone in the north Houston area with a trailer who'd be willing to be on call to help me save my 54 Ford if worse comes to worse. It won't be driveable for another month or two and my only option at present is to just push it out to the end of my driveway if the fires come.

I have 800 acres of dry forest backing up to my propety, not to mention the acre that belongs to me that is equally dry.

I have no experience with this fire stuff, so I don't really know what I'm dealing with. I just feel like I need to have a plan in place and not just let things happen.

 

Driving to work this morning in the F100, I passed by the Tamina area near The Woodlands and the smoke was thick on I-45.

no A/C in the F100, so I naturally run with the windows down.....it made breathing a challenge there for a few miles.

 

If it looks like it comming, I would not wait. I have a 16ft trailer, if it will fit on there, will help you. Will send ya a p.m.

 

Hey Guys and Gals … I have moved all my cars out of my shop …. On to the dirt and rocks, away from all structures … the best I can do. I am loading a trailer with all important things…. so I can just hook up and roll.
IF, we have to leave… again. The Spicewood fire is just over the ridge from us. The only thing that has kept it away was the wind….
It’s a good idea to have a bag packed and all your important papers by the door…. Till it rains… in Texas.

 

Got the PM....reply sent.

HAMBers are the best.

 

And that's gonna be a while. I moved all the important stuff into my work truck.

That's the problem. You could not believe how fast these fires move. There is barely time to escape. We happened to be waiting at the Quinlin Park light just as the Steiner Ranch fire crossed 620 right in front of us. When we got home the Pedernales One fire swept around behind us. I have friends who have lost everything.

There but by the grace of God go I.