Austin area members, you all ok?

[The Last Horseman]

Yeah, it does suck losing a whole state park at once. Do you know if Texas tries to manage fires by lighting small controlled ones? or does it just fight every fire it sees?

I found out about these fires listening to Alex Jones of all things.

Anyway, there are always lots of forest fires around where I live. It isn't nearly as populated here as it is in central Texas though, so that really sucks for you guys there. I heard there were more than 1000 homes evacuated? Or, was it that many burnt (couldn't be, could it?)?

Forest fires are a totally natural thing, of course, but can be extremely dangerous when near populated areas. Were there any fire barriers created in preparation for the fire season each year? That is what happens here. As well, if fires are not near areas of population, they are just watched and left to burn. If they look at all threatening, then they are put under control. Of course, it isn't always possible to completely control them!

Anyway, I feel for you guys in the middle of it. I've been there, but have never been left homeless. I did have a fishing lodge I worked for partially burnt down a few years ago. That was spooky.

1000 houses burned statewide. And here, we don't have a fire season. We've just been really low on rain for a pretty long time, and ciggarete buds and dead grass don't mix. I don't know anybody that's had any bad problems from up there yet. Dallas Wayne's house burnt down, and that's about the closest to a person I know. I just hope none start to close to where I am.

[quintorro]

Man, I am so sick of this season. I have personally seen 4 fires in the last few weeks around Austin, plus all the aftermath smoke being blown our way from the big Bastrop fire.

But I guess I should just be thankful that none of my family or friends have been directly effected by it.

[The Last Horseman]

Man, I am so sick of this season. I have personally seen 4 fires in the last few weeks around Austin, plus all the aftermath smoke being blown our way from the big Bastrop fire.

But I guess I should just be thankful that none of my family or friends have been directly effected by it.

The saddest part is, the Bastrop fire is still going. They have yet to get it contained well, and this damned smoke is killing me because of my asthma, it's aggrivating as hell.

[Hobie-wan]

The wind has been a big problem too. In the video on that last page I linked, it is blowing pretty good so you'd have to make a really wide line to hope that any embers fell to the ground before making it to some more dry grass. Of course it was moving so fast, trying to start making a line that's wide enough and ready by the time the fire catches up to there you started is hard.

[indecks]

I heard the Bastrop fire was about 30% contained as of this morning. Not that that really STOPS the fire, but at least there's some progress. Also, it turns out that the Leander fire (not the one near my place) from a couple days back is currently suspected of arson being the origin. Apparently 4 teens were seen running from the area the fire started right around the time the fire started.

If it was arson, I hope those kids get caught and put away. They have caused a lot of damage to a lot of families.

[Hobie-wan]

I heard there were more than 1000 homes evacuated? Or, was it that many burnt (couldn't be, could it?)?

Yeah, 1000 burned.

http://www.chron.com/news/article/Bastr ... php#page-2

And for the car lovers. At least the guy has the right perspective, his family is safe.

http://jalopnik.com/5837816/texas-fires ... assic-cars

[Breetai]

Wow, 1000 homes is a LOT.

Where I am, we actually say the phrase "fire season." I have seen smoke on the horizon many times, and smelled smoke in the air many times as well (this morning, actually). The largest city in my region is just over 100,000 people, with most towns being 10,000 or less and an hour or two drive apart from each other. I really do hope that things get under control for you guys.

[wip3outguy7]

A-OK here *knocks on wood*. Glad to hear that everyone else seems to be alright.

I guess it just isn't going to rain anymore. This has been a pretty miserable summer.

Central Texas usually has a rainy season that lasts from late April to late June. It rains frequently and we experience violent electrical storms. But it didn't happen this year. Actually, it didn't happen last year. In 2010 we had a couple of hail storms in May, but that was it.

Stay safe people. I have a nervous eye on the hundreds of acres that make up the natural preserve (miles of kindling at this point) that is our apartment complex's back yard.

[Hobie-wan]

Saw a lot of burned trees and houses and things in the Bastrop area on 71 while on the way to Austin for the Keith show. Lots of closed side roads with state troopers parked there. There were a few piles of still smoldering debris as well.

[wip3outguy7]

Holy fuck it just rained.