Texas rain gauge
Posted on 09/05/2011 11:27:31 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Wildfire Update – Sept. 5, 2011
Current situation:
· Texas Forest Service responded yesterday to 63 new fires that burned 32,936 acres, including 22 new large fires.
· Strong winds and low relative humidity from Tropical Storm Lee caused numerous wildfires to spread rapidly yesterday. Additional National Guard Blackhawk helicopters and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike teams, as well as a heavy airtanker from South Dakota were mobilized Sunday to assist with the large number of fires. Weather conditions are expected to reach critical levels again today.
· Texas Forest Service has dozens of aircraft ready to respond this morning, including four heavy airtankers, 15 single-engine airtankers, 12 helicopters, and 13 aerial supervision aircraft. A Type 1 incident management team has been requested to assist with the Bastrop County Complex.
· 251 of the 254 Texas counties are reporting burn bans.
· Daily detailed fire information can be found at inciweb.org.
New large fires from yesterday (more than 100 acres in timber, 300 acres in lighter fuels; or where homes were lost):
* Note: Details on many fires are still unconfirmed. Below is the latest information provided.
BASTROP COUNTY COMPLEX, Bastrop County. 14,000 acres, no containment. Heavy airtankers and single-engine airtankers assisted on this fire that started in the Lost Pines area just northeast of Bastrop. The fire has moved unchecked for at least 16 miles to the south and has jumped the Colorado River twice. The Circle D, K.C. Estates, Pine Forest, Colovista and Tahitian Village subdivision have been evacuated. Firefighters are trying to hold the fire at FM 2571. Reports indicate possibly 300 homes have been destroyed. MODIS satellite image indicates the fire has jumped Highway 95 and is approximately 25,000 acres.
STEINER RANCH, Travis County. 150 acres, no containment. The fire started just north of the Steiner Ranch subdivision. More than 1,000 homes are under mandatory evacuation in Steiner Ranch. At least 25 homes are reported lost. A Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System strike team responded.
PEDERNALES BEND, Travis County. 7,000 acres, unknown containment. The fire is burning four miles southeast of Spicewood. Twenty homes were lost, 30 homes damaged.
HENDERSON #495, Henderson County. 5,000 acres, unknown containment. Three homes were saved.
#491, Limestone County. 3,000 acres, unknown containment. Six homes were saved and one was lost on this fire 20 miles east of Waco.
DELHI, Caldwell County. 1,000 acres, 10 percent contained. Twenty homes were saved and six were lost on this fire east of Lockhart.
BAILEY, Colorado County. 1,000 acres, unknown containment. This fast-moving fire threatened 40 homes near Columbus. Blackhawks, single-engine airtankers and a heavy airtanker assisted.
MOORE, Smith County. 927 acres, 5 percent contained. Ten homes were evacuated and five were lost on this fire burning on the Smith/Gregg County line. Two civilian fatalities were reported.
#545, Upshur County. 500 acres, 50 percent contained. One hundred homes were saved; none lost. The fire is burning East of Gilmer.
LUTHERHILL, Fayette County. 2,000 acres, unknown containment. The community of Ruttersville was evacuated. Seven homes are reported lost.
BONBIEW RANCH, Van Zandt County. 350 acres, unknown containment. Twenty homes were saved southeast of Canton.
CLEMANIS, Upshur County. 400 acres, 85 percent contained. Twenty homes were saved.
#543, Gregg County. 300 acres, unknown containment. Numerous homes were saved, none lost.
#538, Harrison County. 200 acres, contained. One hundred fifty homes were evacuated in a trailer park east of Longview.
#502, Nacogdoches County. 200 acres, unknown containment. More than a dozen homes have been evacuated, but none lost.
#841, Houston County. 200 acres, unknown containment. Fifteen homes were threatened east of Crockett.
PLEASANT GREEN ROAD, Gregg County. 150 acres, contained. Numerous homes evacuated and saved south of Longview.
KENNEDY ROAD, Rusk County. 150 acres, unknown containment. Numerous homes threatened, one lost.
HODDE, Travis County. 325 acres, contained. Two hundred homes were evacuated and saved east of Pflugerville. No homes reported lost.
PETTYTOWN, Caldwell County. 200 acres, 90 percent contained. Twenty homes were saved east of Lockhart.
OLD MAGNOLIA, Gregg County. 100 acres, unknown containment. No homes threatened. Two fuel tanks exploded.
SOUTH SULPHER, Hunt County. 100 acres, 70 percent contained. Five homes were threatened and two were destroyed.
#839, Leon County (Concord Robbins). 100 acres, unknown containment. At least 15 homes are reported lost and more than 300 were evacuated.
Uncontained fires from previous days (more than 100 acres in timber, 300 acres in lighter fuels):
*Note: No current updates available except on the 101 Ranch Fire.
101 RANCH, Palo Pinto County. 6,555 acres, 75 percent contained. The fire is burning on the south side of Possum Kingdom Lake near the town of Brad. Thirty-nine homes and nine RVs have been reported destroyed.
CRAB PRAIRIE, Walker County. 977 acres, 90 percent contained. Numerous SEATs and helicopters, as well as National Guard bulldozers assisted. Two homes were reported to be lost.
HORNETS TANK, Briscoe County. 5,500 acres, 90 percent contained. The fire is burning in juniper and grass in rough terrain near Palo Duro Canyon.
CEDAR RIDGE, Bosque County. 903 acres, 75 percent contained.
3547 ROAD, Wise County. 400 acres, 80 percent contained. Approximately 60 homes were evacuated near this fast-moving fire. Five homes were lost.
JOHNSON (JACKSON) RANCH, Edwards County. 600 acres, 95 percent contained. Three homes were lost on this fire burning 27 miles northwest of Hunt.
BIG DRAW, Kimble County. 600 acres, 20 percent contained. Active fire behavior in heavy fuels and steep terrain was observed. Twenty homes are threatened.
RICK RANCH, Sutton County. 395 acres, 95 percent contained. The fire is burning 24 miles west of Junction.
JACK MOUNTAIN, Coryell County. 1,700 acres, 60 percent contained. The fire is burning five miles south of Gatesville on the Ft. Hood military reservation.
BUNDY ROSS RANCH, Edwards County. 600 acres, 75 percent contained. The fire is burning in juniper, grass and brush 7 miles southeast of Telegraph.
DOUBLE T, Menard County. 300 acres, 95 percent contained. The fire is burning 19 miles west of Brady.
PICKET RUN, Montague County. 1,100 acres, 90 percent contained. The fire is burning in tall grass 7 miles south of Bowie.
CEDAR TRUCK COMPLEX, Kimble County. 357 acres, 80 percent contained. Thirteen homes were saved on this fire burning just west of Fort McKavett. This was a combination of 34 different starts along a 24-mile stretch of highway.
COSTER, Hall County. 1,000 acres, 80 percent contained. Four homes were saved on this fire burning 26 miles northwest of Childress.
HORSESHOE BEND, Coryell County. 525 acres, 75 percent contained. The fire is burning 10 miles south of McGregor. National Guard Blackhawks assisted on the fire. Twelve homes were saved.
Weather Outlook:
A ridge of dry high pressure across the mid U.S. and the Texas panhandle will drift into west Central Texas during the day. This will continue the stronger winds over the east half or more of the state along with drier relative humidities into the 10 to 20 percent range across much of the state. High temperatures will be in the upper 70s to lower 80s over a large portion of North Texas to near 100 over Deep South Texas near the Mexico border. The stronger winds are expected to weaken over most of the state Monday night.
Understandable.
I just thought since people were making the comment they might have some insights the authorities might not have.
But definitely no time to worry about that now.
With regard to the rural fires, keep in mind that Dove Season started September 1 around here, so weekend-warrior hunters were out in force this weekend as well as us who live in the country who might be a bit more sensitive.
Smoking/drinking, grilling, 4-wheelin in high grass....accidents happens.
God speed
When I have dove hunted in the past, my barrel has gotten so hot that it probably could have started a fire if I leaned it over. In East Texas, they say most of the fires are started by dead tree branches falling on power lines and sparking, along with moronic welders and barbecuers. I heard some towards Corsicana may have been arson.
Here’s a link to also confirm two dead from Bastrop fire: http://www.ksby.com/news/authorities-2-dead-in-massive-central-texas-blaze/
Oh boy.
This is really heartbreaking.
Was that the mother and baby? My heart is just broken over what I see. Twice today I went down on my knees to beg G-d to send rain. I will do again many more times, I suspect. But I am holding the prayer in my head and heart every minute.
My lawn is done for year and perhaps beyond, but I have kept watering my oaks. That will cease.
One of the issues now in Bastrop is that people are wetting their houses and lawns and causing water pressure to drop for the firefighters.
I don’t think so. No details have been released other than they were not public service workers
No MestaMachine, These deaths were just announced a few minutes ago. Their names or info have not been released yet.
Longview, TX 03:53 PM Smoke 89ºF 35ºF 15% NE 7 29.97 in 6:56 AM/7:39
Lufkin, TX 03:53 PM Fair 90ºF 39ºF 17% NW 10 29.95 in 6:57 AM/7:38 PM
Nacogdoches, TX 04:35 PM Fair 90ºF 39ºF 17% N 8 29.95 in 6:57 AM/7:38 PM
Texarkana, AR 03:53 PM Fair 85ºF 32ºF 15% N 13 G 20 29.99 in 6:53 AM/7:36 PM
Tyler, TX 03:53 PM Fair 89ºF 34ºF 14% N 9 30.00 in 6:59 AM/7:41 PM
Maybe you can get some information here basil.
https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php
http://www.centex.redcross.org/index.asp?IDCapitulo=F9ZLZNZ3KD
While it is hard to find good news in all of this, here is a heartwarming story to cherish right now.
Just saw this on twitter:
chefjohnbesh John Besh
@chefstevemchugh is on his way to bastrop, tx, taking jambalaya and iced tea 2 the 100’s who were displaced by the wildfires.
If you want to know who John Besh is, here is his website: http://www.chefjohnbesh.com/
I forgot to mention I believe the chef on his way to Bastrop is from New Orleans, LA.
That’s Texas spirit.
Well, the site say’s he has a San Antonio River Walk restaurant too so he’s Texan now.
Well you know what they say:
Not from Texas but got here as soon as I could!
I may be wrong as to where he is coming from. He is famous for his New Orleans FOOD. He has several restaurants and his site says he has opened his first restaurant outside Louisiana... IN TEXAS.
Bod bless this chef and his New Orleans Jambalaya (from Texas), and God bless Texas!
Yes.
And may He watch over us all.
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