Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The Hill Country is on fire

The view from our barn - our barn owner snapped this picture

We are safe, as are our horses. But several members of our extended herd are not. Our friends in Bastrop have successfully evacuated their horses and those of a neighboring ranch and when I last checked in they were working on moving the residents of the Bastrop Zoo/Rescue. A bear and a tiger are part of that zoo.

A friend in another area couldn't get to her five year old horse at a boarding facility before they closed the roads down. The barn owner there said they just opened the gates, hoping the horses will out run the flames. I can't imagine how horrible both the barn owner and the horse owner must feel right now.

Of course it's not all about horses. At this point 500 homes are lost and the fire is not contained in Bastrop. We had two flare ups at the lake where we live but they were put down quickly.

It's bone dry, and while it's cooling, it's still a crazy tinderbox.


I wish it would rain.

14 comments:

Mikey said...

Praying for everyone in TX. I saw the call for help go out on Facebook, calling for trailers to help evacuate. Wish I was closer to help. I'll keep them all in my prayers.

Margaret said...

The heat and dryness is devastating for everyone. I'm truly glad the flareups were under control quickly, but it goes to show you how fast tragedy can strike! My heart goes out to Texas.

Shirley said...

How horrible! I hope you stay safe. Sending up prayers.

Allenspark Lodge said...

It's a constant fear up here, too. You all are in our prayers. Come on rain. Where is a good tropical depression when you need one?

Bill

Jennifer MacNeill said...

I am so sorry to read this. My thoughts are with you and your neighbors. I hope the horses are safe.

Anonymous said...

Very scary - hope you get rain soon and that the fire is contained.

Unknown said...

ugh, I got goosebumps reading your line about 'just opening the gates, let them run through the flames.' I know fire can be good environmentally to burn out dead shrub, but the fear and damage it inflicts on animals and humans is so horrible.

Glad you and your herd are safe!

Corinna

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

This year has been so crazy with the weather phenomena. We started the year without any rain for over 11 months and dealt with smoke and fires all over the state. Now we are getting rain almost daily. The humidity is awful and we even have mosquitoes! In New Mexico!

I'm grateful for the rain, but it would be nice to have it spaced throughout the year and for everyone to be able to have just what they require.
But then you have folks who are flooding, who are dealing with tornadoes and hurricanes and so much worse. It's been a crazy year for weather that's for sure, and I'm afraid of what the winter will bring.

Here's praying for good weather for all and an end to the destruction and devastation.

~Lisa

in2paints said...

I hope Texas gets some relief soon! Thoughts and prayers to everyone. Stay safe!

Captain Bailey said...

I heard last night that the wildfires in TX are the worst the state has ever seen--truly a tragic situation for so many.

Funder said...

What a nightmare for your friends!

Gail said...

I shall wish for rain.

Jan said...

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about these fires. I'm glad you and your family and horses are safe. Such a sad situation.

Maia said...

My prayers go out to everyone in the state of Texas and especially to those poor ranchers got between a rock and hard place. Stay safe.

I wish I could send you some of the rain that is making our lives on the east coast a misery.