The fire danger that we have been so concerned about for the last few months came on Saturday as a result of a dry front with winds of 40 to 50 MPH. A power line was blown over resulting in the beginning of a fire that burned more than 600 acres, 23 homes and/or businesses, and evacuated 80 homes. A report from KXAN is below. Today winds are up again (around 20 MPH) but not so high as yesterday. It will again be dangerous work for firefighters.I wanted to go on a little excursion today to Washington-on-the-Brazos where in 1886 a committee of five men wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence. This little town is known as the birthplace of Texas and since tomorrow is Texas Independence Day I wanted to have a little history trip and take some photos. This may have to happen later since we aren't sure about leaving town with the fires in the area. As you may know we live in an area dense with lob lolly pine trees.
Massive fire whips through Bastrop Co.
Fire 50% contained; Disaster declared
Updated: Sunday, 01 Mar 2009, 8:42 AM CST
Published : Saturday, 28 Feb 2009, 4:40 PM CST
BASTROP, TEXAS (KXAN) - The Bastrop Fire Department and the Texas Forest Service have reported that a wildfire spread over 650 acres in areas of Bastrop and Smithville. Nearly 50% of the fire has been contained as of approximately 7 a.m. Sunday morning. The fire was caused by a fallen power line in a pasture north of Highway 71 at approximately 12:30 pm Saturday. Officials fought the fire, which they named the Wildnerness Ridge Fire for most of Saturday.
The smoke billowing from the fire could be seen for miles as the high winds whipped the blaze towards residential areas and business centers along the Colorado River. The area of the fire is known as the Piney Woods.
At least 80 homes have been evacuated, with 23 already destroyed, in the area of Bastrop State Park. At one point, over 200 homes were threatened. Several businesses have also been lost including at least 30 antique shops at the Alum Creek Center.
4 comments:
Living in Idaho, I have an appreciation of how distrubing wildfires can be-- we had one that started within a few miles of our home a couple of years ago-- thankfully, it burned in another direction. Hope everyone stays safe down there & that the damage can be kept to a real minimum.
Thanks John, it really did have us worried. For a while it was only about 5 miles from our area of dense pines. If the wind had shifted westerly we would have been in trouble.
Now Cheryl please stay safe. I am invested in you now and I want you safe.
You are in a happy marriage to what seems to be a wonderful man and that is a good thing.
xoxo
Glad you are safe, Cheryl. Shame for the others. Take care.xx♥♥
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