We got caught smack dab in the middle of three of these fires today... it was soooo scary! One was within a mile from the highway out of Huntsville, on the northbound side - the side we were traveling on. That one was more smelly for us than frightful, as we had the median and frontage road between us and the fire. Farther north, we ran into a MASSIVE fire in Grimes County. We couldn't decide whether to turn around once we started south. It was so close to the county road we were on and no matter which way were to go, we would have been in parts of it. All I could think about was that huge fire in Nevada where so many firefighters got caught up in the middle and ended up losing their lives, even though they had fire blankets. After we made it home, we found that we had traveled right by the third in our area. The sky was freaky brown, swirling browns and oranges over the setting sun.
Our local TV station has pictures posted from my viewing area: http://www.khou.com/
The worst fire was in Bastrop Cnty, where up to 500 homes were lost to the flames: http://www.kvue.com/home/Raw-video-Bastrop-fire-aerials-129271193.html
We've heard that it's been so dry in Texas that it may become desert ---- but never heard it could become H311!
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You bet we will be watchful and safe... thanks all.
Raina, did you see the Bastrop YouTube? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYkcaJLd-XE&feature=player_embedded
The roads we were on yesterday were similar to this, but not near as close. We could see them, but not step out of the car and touch them, as it seems they were in the vid. The smoke clouds did block our vision, however. All the fires around me have been extinguished, for the time being. But, the Bastrop one is still being watched, from what I understand... it was so big, they're making sure it doesn't re-ignite.
The trees in the National Forest, which is practically all around my area, are dead, dead, dead. It is so sad looking --- our area is known for its tall pines and spreading oaks. If I get out again, any time soon, I'll take pictures. It is so not like the usual GREEN south Texas that I know!
hey, MsRed, you are describing an incident that i have envisioned and worried about. I am in Austin. I heard they were evacuating people from the homes in Austin. Texas is on fire. stay safe.