Texas Heat!

[txdon]

14000 acres burning in Bastrop County, 300 homes destroyed. When I spoke with Mike around 7 pm the fire was 4 miles from him then.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Previous picture taken by my wife's cousin near Bastrop Texas. Note how high the flames are.

There are wildfires all around us. North, south, east and west.

My wife and I have put important papers and belongings in our evacuation vehicle. I want to be able to leave in a moments notice.

There are so many things I'd like to get ready but since its midnight, I will try to sleep with one eye open tonight and be ready to leave.

Finding out that Facebook is a better source of spontaneous news than almost any other source. Take that to the bank.

 

[txdon]

I'm up too Kyle. I can see the glow in the sky to the south.

 

[two_bit_score]

I'm up too Kyle. I can see the glow in the sky to the south.

You guys in Lee county are too close to the fires for comfort! Good luck and I hope things calm down overnight!

Saw that there was a fire around Paige so that actually is in Lee Co.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I'm up too Kyle. I can see the glow in the sky to the south.

Don, its almost like someone is setting these fires. They had 3 separate fires in Bastrop county but 2 converged. Says 1 is now 16 miles long.

I have been in a situation before where I was worried about fire and I can tell you folks, when you are asleep you don't smell smoke until you wake up (if its not too late).

So, I'm kind of worried about going to sleep.

 

[two_bit_score]

Don, its almost like someone is setting these fires. They had 3 separate fires in Bastrop county but 2 converged. Says 1 is now 16 miles long.

I have been in a situation before where I was worried about fire and I can tell you folks, when you are asleep you don't smell smoke until you wake up (if its not too late).

So, I'm kind of worried about going to sleep.

I was on I35 between SA and Austin last night and the driver of a car ahead threw out a cigarette. Nothing caught fire but I sure was looking for a trooper.

 

[mikim]

We here in Paige are in Bastrop County -- and I'm all awake and on fire watch duty. Vehicles are loaded and ready to roll. Friends are here in the cabin from Plano. Their daughter used to live in Tahitian village -- gone now -- they evac'd to his parents in Austin. Won't know how bad it is til they can get back in there but my guess is -- total loss. Sitting here in my brand new house hoping and praying for the best. I can see stars in the sky and not smoke -- and I can't smell smoke yet --so I guess it's so far so good.

 

[NativeSon]

This is some scary stuff. Stay alert. God Bless You and keep You.

Some people don't have much self-awareness, but they need to be made aware of the fire danger that can come from any dumb act. I haven't heard the radio stations with the ongoing Public Service announcements on the Burn Ban, and throwing their cigs out the window etc.

The wind was really blowing yesterday and watching the News we had fires going in almost every county at some time. The VFD's have got to be wearing down. At least the heat has given us some respite. Hope the winds lay down today.

Charlie

 

[jinman]

Sitting here in my brand new house hoping and praying for the best. I can see stars in the sky and not smoke -- and I can't smell smoke yet --so I guess it's so far so good.

Kathy asked me last night if I'd heard from you. We're keeping our fingers crossed for you. We hope you're still safe.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Mike, I hope and pray for you and all the rest of the folks over there.

Folks FYI, Bastrop has a dense population of old growth pine trees. I would guess that the thickness of the dead needles on the ground averages up to 3" thick. Much of this area has homes "carved" into the forest with dense vegetation surrounding each. It looks great when things are nice and green but it is a fire tender box now with the drought.

Unfortunately, while all the news crews went to Louisiana to cover the rain, the western "dryside" of this Lee is turning out to be the biggest news IMO. The winds had calmed down to about 10mph but now are picking back up again.

 

[Western]

Didn't watch the news much yesterday since I was out in the wind all day. Get up this morning and read about the fires on FOX of all places! man things have gone from bad to worse with this windy cool front mixed with fires.

A quote from the Texas forest service said they where "maxed out" with their resources. The fires combined with this drought year have been expensive for our state.

I think you guys with an evac plan are being very prudent and wish everyone allot of luck.

 

[pacerron]

Mike, I hope and pray for you and all the rest of the folks over there.

Folks FYI, Bastrop has a dense population of old growth pine trees. I would guess that the thickness of the dead needles on the ground averages up to 3" thick. Much of this area has homes "carved" into the forest with dense vegetation surrounding each. It looks great when things are nice and green but it is a fire tender box now with the drought.

Unfortunately, while all the news crews went to Louisiana to cover the rain, the western "dryside" of this Lee is turning out to be the biggest news IMO. The winds had calmed down to about 10mph but now are picking back up again.

Has anybody heard from Mike?
This article at 10 AM mentions the roads you talked about.

Bastrop County Complex fire destroys 400 homes, spans 17,500 acres - YNN - Your News Now

 

[jinman]

Has anybody heard from Mike?
This article at 10 AM mentions the roads you talked about.

Bastrop County Complex fire destroys 400 homes, spans 17,500 acres - YNN - Your News Now

Mike and Bernice live almost due south of Paige. The closest evacuations I have seen have been on Old Potato Rd. and along Hwy 21 between Bastrop and Paige. With the winds from the north, it should slow the spread northward toward Mike. This is all a guess of course.

 

[Gordo 56]

I will be praying for all of you in harms way, I can't believe what a rough year you all have been having in Texas. First the heat and drought and now this.

May God be protecting you all,
Gordo

 

[two_bit_score]

Didn't catch if they said exactly were this video was taken but it looks like just between Bastrop and Paige on Hwy 21.

Bastrop fire jumps freeway ? YouTube | Newswatch | a Chron.com blog

 

[txdon]

It's getting worse! 0% contained. Wind changed. Mike has evacuated.
25,000 acres burning, 476 homes destroyed.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

It's getting worse! 0% contained. Wind changed. Mike has evacuated.
25,000 acres burning, 476 homes destroyed.

you guys okay for now ?

 

[Bird]

It's getting worse! 0% contained. Wind changed. Mike has evacuated.
25,000 acres burning, 476 homes destroyed.

That is just incredible. Sure hope all you guys are safe.

 

[txdon]

In the picture below Bastrop County is burning. I just took this picture from our house (about 15 miles away). The water tower on the horizon is at Hwy. 21 and Hwy. 290. Mike's house is beyond that toward the smoke, about 5 miles.

There are no clouds today that is all smoke.

5,000 people have been evacuated. The fire is growing.

The wind is blowing from the North now. In two days it turns and will be coming from the South, that will push the fire in our direction.

(The smoke is visible from Bryan Texas.)

The good news: The temperature today did not get up to 100 degrees, only 93, yea!