Fires raging throughout Central Texas

Austin American Statesman ^ | Sep 04 2011 | Staff

[grey_whiskers]

UPDATE 7:30 P.M.: Mark Stanford, the fire chief for the Texas Forest Service , said subdivisions have been evacuated there but they have no estimate on what structures have been lost.

People are being told to evacuate to the First Baptist Church in Smithville and Bastrop Middle School, Stanford said.

In addition, State Highways 71 and 21 in Bastrop County have been closed, Stanford said.

Update, 6:48 p.m.: Wildfires have consumed more than 6,000 acres in Bastrop County, and firefighters are still working to get the blazes under control.

According to Bastrop Police Department Spokesman Michal Hubbard, hundreds of homes have been evacuated, including those at the Colony, west of the city of Bastrop, and Tahitian Village to the east. Several structures have been lost, he said

[Windflier]

Thank you for posting the Texas pledge, Nortex. We needed to hear that, right about now.

[grey_whiskers]

[Bad language deleted]

Did the fires start today? Last night? I understand the wind has been vicious, and the fires are the next thing to one of those CA wildfires they sometimes get.

But you guys have a lot more tinder (dried out plants) than them, because you're not really a desert, you've just been in a drought?

Merde. Just looked up the forecast for tomorrow.

Cooler, thank God, but the winds persist. Firefighters' bane.

Prayers continuing: can you borrow firefighting capacity from other areas (Vermont) which have been flooded?

Keep everyone informed, not just on the Texas state message board...

[luvie]

The radio station is reporting that 620 (?)...near Steiner(sp) Ranch... is open in both directions now.

People in the area of Fall Creek Estates are under mandatory evacuation at this time...just in.

[re_nortex]

Roaring is fine, I responded in jest. :)

Thanks anyway!

I believe strongly in American Exceptionalism and equally in Texas Exceptionalism. Year after year, we have some of the roughest, wildest weather -- floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, extreme heat and ruthless droughts. I think that's the price we pay for living in a state that's so consistently Conservative and unabashedly pro-God.

It takes a special breed of person to handle our no-nonsense climate. It engenders a rugged individualism and a genuine can-do spirit unlike anywhere else. And our ability to overcome adversity comes from neighbor helping neighbor, not some Socialist program.

God Blessed Texas (Little Texas).

[grey_whiskers]

Crap. That looks like a scene right of the Pierce Brosnan movie Dante's Peak.

Cheers!

[Texas Deb]

I’m sorry I don’t know.

I think I read the fires near Bastrop started about 2:00 today.

Just learned of this when this thread was posted.

Am trying to follow my friend on Facebook but have not heard anymore since her original post.

It is cooler her today on the South Plains where I live - 60 degrees today and a little rain yesterday. Wish we could share what little rain we had with those further south.

Sorry that’s all I know.

I’ll post if I learn anymore.

We also have relatives in Bastrop but have not heard anything from them. Also friends in Marble Falls.

Prayers continuing.

[Windflier]

any word from Gov. Perry?

See post 120. He's not ignoring this.

[Texas Deb]

From a Facebook post from my friend in Bastrop whose son lost his house, another poster on there said they were being evacuated from Tahitian - she posted that about an hour ago.

If I hear more from my friend or her friends, I will post.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Please dear Lord, let the winds stop and let rain fall.

We ask that you keep everyone safe in the midst of these fires

Please give the firefighters the strength they need. Please, hear our prayers ...

In Jesus name..

[Windflier]

It takes a special breed of person to handle our no-nonsense climate. It engenders a rugged individualism and a genuine can-do spirit unlike anywhere else. And our ability to overcome adversity comes from neighbor helping neighbor, not some Socialist program.

I've explained that to folks outside the state before. Texas made Texans tough and resilient, with that 'spit in the eye of the devil' attitude. You gotta have that to survive down here.

The climate and harshness of the land tends to weed out the weakest among the species. When mother nature is throwing her worst at us (such as now), even the comforts of modern controlled environments aren't enough to keep some liberal rejects from abandoning Texas.

[STARWISE]

So, so terrifying and horrible. God hold them in His loving, safe arms and comfort their grieving loved ones.

~~~~~~~~~

Texas Wildfire Engulfs Home Killing Young Mother and Baby Daughter
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:51am

*snip*

Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano says the fire destroyed the home Sunday between Lincoln City and Gladewater, more than 100 miles east of Dallas.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/texas-wildfire-engulfs-home-killing-young-mother-and-baby-daughter/

[Texas Deb]

Amen!

I know at one time when we had severe fires here I heard that Scott Walker, the governor of Wisconsin, sent some firefighters to help here in Texas. He’s a good man.

[444Flyer]

Amen

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

Wind was out of the north today, abnormal for this time of the year.

Thanks to Tropical Storm Lee's circulation system.

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha West Texas Rose,

Last I recall these wildfires were started(?) earlier in the summer but it's been hard to follow in the news. (Trying not to watch the news but it's a hard habit to break.)

Drought doesn't help, the news is asleep at the wheel careening down the campaign trail and hurricane tracks and you really don't want to hear what I think the government is doing at this time.....or any time really.

Keep your self safe and keep posting.

[grey_whiskers]

Did they have to choose THAT publication to disseminate the news?

(Rubbing salt in the wound if you ask me.)

Prayers up.

[Texas Deb]

Oh, no! How horrible!

Please, Lord, help these people to be safe!

[cubreporter]

Amen.

[SouthTexas]

That’s what’s been said, but we also have a front coming. Supposed to be in the 60s Monday and Tuesday night.

[hoagy62]

As of now, the live updates have ceased, and they’re broadcasting ‘Coast to Coast AM’.