Posted on 09/04/2011 5:46:33 PM PDT by 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
(Excerpt) Read more at statesman.com ...
from another forum
Multiple subdivisions around Bastrop are gone, per FD.
Prayers up, keep us posted.
UPDATE FROM AN EVACUEE!!!
Just got home (San Antonio) The R2 family was camping at Buescher State Park. Went down the road (12 miles) to Bastrop State Park about 3 this afternoon to go swimming. Stayed about 30 minutes until that entire park was evacuated due to severe fire less than a mile from the park. We flew down Hwy 71 to Buescher. It was still open but under a fire watch. About 5:00 they gave us the order to leave Buescher State Park. We packed up, hooked up the RV and was outta there by 6:00.
But where to go? We could not go back Hwy. 71 towards Austin. That highway was closed. He travelled down FM 95 to IH 10. Then over to San Antonio. And towing a n RV with 30-40 mph cross winds gusts?
Fun.
Anyway. I’m glad to report that we were all safely evacuated and are now home.
I don’t understand your reply.
I was talking about breaking out the bulldozers and tankers both truck and air and anything else.
Though I’m not there, it seems like this stuff has gone on long enough and I can’t help but feel the Obama administration is once again ignoring a dire situation because of politics.
Prayers for my southern neighbors. The whole central part of the state is a tinderbox with no relief in sight. And as the saying goes, “Obama wouldn’t spit on us if we were on fire.” We’re on our own.
FM 95 is KKMJ, Majic 95. It's soft rock. Even if you could travel on a radio station, wouldn't blues have been more appropriate?
I guess Texas is a whole 'nuther planet.
(Glad to hear you're safe. Keep on FReepin'.)
Full Disclosure: did the strong winds mess up your gas mileage?
marker
14,000 acres burned in Bastrop. More than 300 homes lost, and there’s still no containment. A mandatory evacuation has been issued for all circle D County — all homes on Schwantz Ranch Road, Old Potato Road and all Highway 21 homes east to Paige. Also Wilderness Ridge, Cedar Creek, Allen Creek are also being evacuated.
This ain't our first rodeo this year. There were major fires in west Texas earlier in the year. The Won’s administration shrugged their shoulders. Not only does he not like Texas and Gov. Perry..it just really isn't high enough profile for him to take an interest in...in a red state.
Truthfully, I live in a rural area that relies solely on volunteer fire departments. We had massive wild fires a few years back. Those guys rocked! Without a gubernatorial command or federal intervention.
That scenario is more than likely being played out now with the current fires. With both paid and unpaid departments, bulldozers, helicopters and all resources available.
FM 95.
Us Texans know these are known as Farm to Market Roads.
And gas mileage? 8 to 10 mpg.
*Yeesh*
FM is Farm to Market road.
Short of getting some Federally Mandated Rain, not muchcrowe can be done.
If its as windy in Austin area as it is in East Texas today, this will be VERY bad.
His priority is running for President. He is focused on that and might not even know about this fire. His future is President not governor.
I know. It’s just city folks. God Bless Texas and ya’ll hang on down there.
Daughter says it’s very windy in Austin.
Fervent prayers continue for Texas and for these poor folk who’ve lost their homes and are in harms way.
If he F's up the fire response, or is perceived as insensitive or out of touch, the press will crucify him and end his campaign.
(Look for the Press to compare the fires to Bush & Katrina, for instance.)
Braggadocio works fine in politicians unless you are seen as cruel or indifferent to those who depend on you.
Prayers up.
What can be done by the state or feds?
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