Texas is burning

[Belfrybat]

On my ten mile trip to church this morning, I saw evidence of 5 fires, one still burning. On my way back, another had started. This is beginning to get scary. I really feel for the folks further west where close to 80,000 acres is gone and 50+ houses:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7515488.html

And from another source:

High winds will remain, blowing out of the west at 30-40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. As a result, some forecasters are saying wildfire weather conditions today could shape up to be among the worst in Texas history.

Key weather factors include pervasive drought conditions, high winds, high temperatures and low relative humidity. Those weather conditions along with record-dry vegetation increase the potential for wildfires not only starting but also spreading quickly.

Texas Forest Service, the Texas Division of Emergency Management and other state officials have been watching the weather forecasts for several days. According to National Weather Center meteorologists, the conditions are probable for a regional wildfire outbreak similar to the ones that occurred April 9, 2009, across the Southern Plains of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, claiming 147,924 acres, 111 homes and four lives.

I do pray no lives will be lost this time around.

[insocal]

I assume this is God's will just like the fires we get in SoCal.

[Becka]

That's scary. Stay safe.

[Cyngbaeld]

http://www.nifc.gov/fire_info/nfn.htm
Good many fires all over. This gives info on a lot of them.

[big rockpile]

We had a fire burning all afternoon yesterday,by dark people called Fire Department.It was funny I could see them up on the highway trying to figure how to get back here.

You Guys down there stay safe.

big rockpile

[Explorer]

A good part of west Texas is in a severe drought. Until that clears up, there will be fires.

[arcticow]

A good part of Texas, OK and KS are in severe drought, not just west TX. All the Plains used to burn over regularly, just since fences and towns has it been a disaster. Don't make droughts any more fun, tho.

[Belfrybat]

Originally Posted by insocal

I assume this is God's will just like the fires we get in SoCal.

No, I do not assume it is God's will that there be destruction and loss of life. I believe God weeps along with the rest of us when that happens.

[Cyngbaeld]

Red flag warnings are out for west and central Texas.

[JuliaAnn]

http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main....aspx?id=12888

list of forest fires from the Texas Forest Service.

Some of them caused by railroad work, cutting pipe, or under investigation.

[pheasantplucker]

Originally Posted by insocal

I assume this is God's will just like the fires we get in SoCal.

Would it be then wrong to try to combat the fire?

[tinknal]

Originally Posted by arcticow

A good part of Texas, OK and KS are in severe drought, not just west TX. All the Plains used to burn over regularly, just since fences and towns has it been a disaster. Don't make droughts any more fun, tho.

This is the crux of the problem. Continuously putting out and preventing wildfire has resulted in a deadly accumulation of tinder. When the conditions finally overcome all this human meddling the results can be tragic.

[Ken Scharabok]

Just an aside: Here in West-central TN we have had a wet winter and, so far, spring. Yet the ridge in back of me caught fire on the other side and readily burned from the top of the ridge down to a road. Just leaves and some dead trees. Forestry Department came out and contained it, with one side being about 100 yards away from where a sister & BIL live.

[willowworker]

Originally Posted by Belfrybat

On my ten mile trip to church this morning, I saw evidence of 5 fires, one still burning. On my way back, another had started. This is beginning to get scary. I really feel for the folks further west where close to 80,000 acres is gone and 50+ houses:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7515488.html

And from another source:

I do pray no lives will be lost this time around.

Hi. What is considered west-central? My brother is out of Austin near Lago Vista. Thanks

[Ken Scharabok]

TN use to call itself three states in one - which is why three stars are on the state flag. From about Crossville east is more Appalachian. From Crossville to KY Lake is more Mid-western. From KY Lake to west is more Southern. I'd probably put Chattannoga (sp?) in the Eastern third.

I am about six miles east of KY Lake, so near divide. Thus, I'm at the West end of Central TN.

Raining now. Farmers are running late putting in crops. If they try to catch between rainy spells, it can dround out emerging seeds. Two days ago the guy who rents my fields sprayed down for weeds. Now the rain has likely washed most of it off.

[Kshobbit]

I hope everyone in the area is keeping a close watch on the fires. I remember the terrible tragedies in Australia when the wind blew the fire faster than people could even drive out of it and many died a horrible death. Please be careful.

[Belfrybat]

Originally Posted by willowworker

Hi. What is considered west-central? My brother is out of Austin near Lago Vista. Thanks

I'm near Brownwood -- it's called the heart of Texas, but is on the western edge of north central. 40 miles south is where the hill country begins.