Texas Wildfires

Texas grass fires spread ferociously, since Tuesday, 12-27-2005.

Several small communities have been destroyed by these grass fires, that
have become uncontrollable. Out west, in the northern and western
parts, in Eastland County, at least 20 different fires sprang up on
NY's Eve. An unusually named little Town called Carbon, was almost
lost. Carbon, Tx. is just NE of Cross Plains, where more than 90 homes
and many barns, and a Church were destroyed.
Another little town, Ringold Tx, near Wichita Falls, was
essentially destroyed by the wild fires. Some fire fighters, and
residents were reported to have been injured.
Take the Texas winds, 25 to 45 mph, with warm temps 70-80*,
with low humidty, add crispy dry, tall grass, then we've got the perfect
formula for Texas wild fires to spread, jump roads, and destroy anything
in its path.
To my recollection, I can't remember fires damaging and destorying
1000's of acres of farm land, and real property, at this magitude. It
all started a week ago.
Most of us, think this only happens in California and other areas
of the north west.

 

Actually, the total for Cross Plains, 116 homes and other buildings
destroyed, leaving 5 dead, one being a very dear friend of my father-in-law.

I stepped out onto my porch last night and the smell of smoke was thick in
the air and visibility was low.

Humidities as low as 3%. In all my years, I've never seen it this bad.

Every year we get a fire here and there, mostly during the summer and they
get them under control, fairly quickly. With zero rain and the high winds
we've had, 1 little spark can turn into "Dante's Inferno", in nothing flat.

I just came back from Joe's retirement party (his last day at work, is the
8th) and I counted at least 4 plumes of smoke, off in the distance, south
and east. Some were very large.

My hope is that all of you and your homes, stay safe.

--
Sunny - IRPK, ISRA #7123
Texas Veterans Assoc., Chapter 3
http://www.pkriders.org/txvets.htm
'02 XVS650A "Deerslayer"
'99 XVS650A - Joe's "Deerslayer Too"

 

RL Sunny Gal reports);
Actually, the total for Cross Plains, 116 homes and other buildings
destroyed, leaving 5 dead, one being a very dear friend of my
father-in-law.
I stepped out onto my porch last night and the smell of smoke was thick
in the air and visibility was low.
===============================
        Bjay here (Another little town, Ringold Tx,
near Wichita Falls, was essentially destroyed by the wild fires. Some
fire fighters, and residents were reported to have been injured.
                  Take the Texas
winds, 25 to 45 mph, with warm temps 70-80*, with low humidty, add
crispy dry, tall grass, then we've got the perfect formula for Texas
wild fires to spread, jump roads, and destroy anything in its path.)
Bjay! ==============================
Sunny goes on to say); ''Humidities as low as 3%. In all my
years, I've never seen it this bad. ''
==================================
       Bjay here);   To my recollection, I can't
remember fires damaging and destorying 1000's of acres of farm land, and
real property, at this magitude. It all started a week ago.
            Most of us, think this only happens
in California and other areas of the north west. Bjay
==============================
Sunny continues);''Every year we get a fire here and there, mostly
during the summer and they get them under control, fairly quickly. With
zero rain and the high winds we've had, 1 little spark can turn into
"Dante's Inferno", in nothing flat.
I just came back from Joe's retirement party (his last day at work, is
the 8th) and I counted at least 4 plumes of smoke, off in the distance,
south and east. Some were very large.
My hope is that all of you and your homes, stay safe.''

(Sunny - IRPK, ISRA #7123)
==============================
bjay here); That's right, Sunny, you live in that area, dontcha? I
wonder why those who had a little bit of warning didn't soak down their
yards, like they do in the summer, watering their lawns????
Tell Joe, congradulations. I retired early, and have'nt regretted
it one bit. I still have a little to do, to keep up with, but basically
I don't work anymore ya know like a real job.. & it's fun.''
==================================

 

Yes, I do live in that general vicinity.
The fire moves so quickly, that by the time you realize that it's headed
your way, it's too late. Sprinkling the yard is about as efficient as
trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon. With the extremely low humidity,
the grass dries quickly and you're back to square one. You'd have to keep
everything soaked.

Thanks, Bjay. I imagine Joe will have plenty to keep him busy. He has a
long list of people wanting him to do mechanic work for them, plus he plans
to start building wind generators, right after he roofs and sides his dad's
house and overhauls his backhoe. He needs a few clones of himself.

On a side note:
We were invited to our friends' house, for New Years Day pot luck dinner.
It's a different couple, than the ones that have "the trike" but these folks
have trikes too. Our friend had tried for months to get his trike running,
even other mechanics were stumped. After we arrived at their place, he was
showing Joe the trike. Joe fiddles with it for less than 20 seconds and
tells our friend to start it. Max was sure it wouldn't start but he tried
it and it fired right up and ran like a top. More riders showed up and soon
there were 25 folks and over a dozen bikes and trikes, parked in the yard.
Our friends got together and gave Joe a new road name..... "Magic", short
for "Magic Hands".

--
Sunny - IRPK, ISRA #7123
Texas Veterans Assoc., Chapter 3
http://www.pkriders.org/txvets.htm
'02 XVS650A "Deerslayer"
'99 XVS650A - Joe's "Deerslayer Too"