We got up early on Saturday and took Sue to the airport. Later we went in to Austin to the UT baseball games. After the games we went to dinner with our daughters and headed home. As we approached our turn off we could see flashing lights. We thought it was a wreck but it was a huge fire. They let us turn down our road and come home. Highway 71 was closed between Bastrop and Smithville. We did not have any smoke in our area. The winds were so high that the smoke blew straight south, it could be seen on the radar all the way to the gulf. Very bad. It was fortunate that no one was seriously injured. Homes and businesses were destroyed and there was loss of livestock and wildlife.
A downed power line started the wildfire and it is still not contained completely. Hopefully the wind will not be too bad tomorrow and it will burn out.
The Alum Creek Center
You can read one of the first
stories here and
todays news here. It is strange how fires skip some things and burn others.
The fire is about 5 miles from here on the road, but closer as the crow flies. We had several calls today from friends and family that saw the fire on the news, so I thought you might be curious as well. Thankfully all is well here tonight. It is awful for the displaced families and businesses.
The Alum Creek Center
6 comments:
So glad you are safe. Someone in the hunt asked about you and told about the fire.
I'm glad to hear that you are safe and all is well. We have had some serious fires in OK lately due to the drought and high winds. Several years ago it was even worse with many fires destroying homes, barns, businesses, etc, and most started by powerlines.
Jo, I'm so glad you are OK. I saw it in the paper and wondered...remembering all those lovely trees that you have.
JeanneG, thank you. I figured someone would see about the fires. We had several calls from friends around the country.
Bag Blog, there are quite a few fires still around the State. It is extreme drought, not good. Thanks for checking.
Rose, thank you. It is so dry all around here and parts of New Mexico, too.
Oh Jo!!
I'm so thankful that you're okay! Fires are so scary. I hope the fire will be out soon.
Hi Kasie, thanks for your concern. It seems OK, fingers crossed.
Hugs.
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