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Texas Wildfires

danarhea

Slayer of the DP Newsbot
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Large Wildfires are burning in several places just North of Houston right now. The worst one is up near Stoneham, which could very well be the largest fire in the history of Southeast Texas. But the one I am worried about is near Plantersville, where Charlie Fenn, a good longtime friend and band mate of mine in several bands over many years, lives. This afternoon at 4PM, the fire was about a block from his home, and he and his family were evacuated to Navasota. Tomorrow, he will know if he still has a home to come home to. Please say a prayer for him, and I will keep you all updated on the situation. Besides these 2 fires, there are several others burning too.

Triple digit temperatures and high winds are making the fires difficult to control at this time (The Plantersville fire is only 5% controlled, and the larger Stoneham fire is completely out of control), but within a day or 2 moisture from a tropical wave is going to make it here. I just hope it doesn't come too late for Charlie and many other people who live in the area. About 200 homes have been destroyed already, and there could be many more homes up in smoke before this one is over.

Also, police say that at least one of these fires was started by some asshole throwing a cigarette out of his car while driving on FM1774. I hope he is proud of himself, because what he did is a freakin' shame.

Crossing my fingers, and so are other area musicians. When this ends, we are going to put together a benefit for those affected by these fires. The musicians, club owners, bikers, farmers, and just about everybody else who lives in the area are wonderful people, and to me, it is a privilege to know them. When disaster strikes, everybody is a neighbor, and everybody, Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and everybody else, lives in Plantersville and Stoneham on days like this.

Please say a prayer for those affected. Thank you.
 
I hope your friend makes it through with his home intact.

Seems like the entire southwest is burning this year.
 
If you guys do arrange a fundraiser please post something here or shoot me a message. The Houston area isn't too terribly far from Dallas and we'd be more than happy to attend/donate. We donated blood, clothing, and a few dollars during the Possum Kingdom blaze.
 
The news media is now picking this up (link includes video). The information is a bit dated, though. More than 200 homes have been destroyed. The good news is that there is only one injury, and no deaths, so far. I-45 between Houston and Dallas was shut down for a while yesterday, due to a third major fire, up towards Huntsville, and it may be shut down again today. There is a 4th major fire burning near Madisonville, and there are many small fires burning right now, which are scatterd across the region. One of those was in Atascosita, but was contained before it got out of control.

Moisture from the tropical wave out in the Gulf is almost here. When it gets here, late today or tomorrow, it is going to provide us with much needed rain. The whole area is under a drought which is classified as "exceptional".
 
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I just hope people are smart enough to leave when the warnings come down. Almost everything can be replaced except your life/your family's lives. Just take what you need and get out.

They don't have to heed warnings. A judge is forcing the evacuations in most places, but still good advise from you.
 
Relief is in sight. That damned high over the GoM is gonna get relocated for a few days, we have a shot at some rain across the hill country starting Tuesday and the energy will move East towards ya'll. How much rain and where will all depend on how much energy can move into the area, but it's the best shot we've had all in several months. Anticipate a return to the dry conditions Thursday or so a the ridge returns and plants itself over Central Texas.

The big problem is the Jet Stream is too far damned north atm. All the energy that could produce rain keeps sliding north and then east (it's also why OK-NC have been getting hammered with severe weather) but that's the usual pattern on the backside of a la nina.
 
1) Got off the phone a while ago with my band mate, Charlie. His house was spared, but his sister's house, next door, burned to the ground. That his house is still standing is a miracle, as everything around it, trees, structures, grass, and everything else, burned up. The fire department got there in the nick of time, and the only damage he has is to his gate and fence, which was smashed down with bulldozers. Charlie told me that this is the first time in his life he was happy to see somebody vandalizing his property. LOL. He also told me that the landscape surrounding his property looks like the surface of an alien planet.

The Plantersville fire has been renamed the Dyer Mill Fire. It is only 10% contained right now.

2) The much larger Stoneham fire is still out of control.

3) But there is now the Jasper County fire, which has overtaken Stoneham as the largest one in East Texas history, and although it has been 40% contained, the Forest Service has now run out of resources to fight it.

4) At this time, there are a total of 20 wildfires scattered throughout East Texas. Rain is coming, and although it won't be a drought buster, it will be a welcome sight for those who are fighting the fires.
 
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The largest fire is now the Bearing fire, which is burning in Trinity and Polk counties.
 
It's drier than hades down here, Dog. I have NEVER seen it this dry.
 
We have gotten some much needed rain yesterday and this evening here in North Texas. The National Weather Service is calling for rain tommorow as well. Hope ya'll get some of this. We are in for a long hot summer.
 
We have gotten some much needed rain yesterday and this evening here in North Texas. The National Weather Service is calling for rain tommorow as well. Hope ya'll get some of this. We are in for a long hot summer.

As the la nina fades, the rains will return, was reading longer term discussions anticipating a possibly wet fall/winter.
 
The bad news - A new wildfire has broken out in the Katy area, on the outskirts of Houston. This one is in a densely populated area. The good news - Looks like it is going to rain before any homes get destroyed.

This morning, a friend of mine named Wolff did a rain dance outside his home. And now, rain is starting to fall. It is raining cats and dogs on the Bearing fire, and looks like the major fires may soon be out, if this weather pattern holds up. Thunderstorms will be in the Houston area by tomorrow morning, and more rain is predicted throughout the stricken areas all day.

Yea, I know, I know. The National Weather Service has been predicting this, but just to cover all the bases, just keep on dancing, Wolff. You rock. :)

Afterthought: Today, God is a fireman. :)
 
The bad news - A new wildfire has broken out in the Katy area, on the outskirts of Houston. This one is in a densely populated area. The good news - Looks like it is going to rain before any homes get destroyed.

This morning, a friend of mine named Wolff did a rain dance outside his home. And now, rain is starting to fall. It is raining cats and dogs on the Bearing fire, and looks like the major fires may soon be out, if this weather pattern holds up. Thunderstorms will be in the Houston area by tomorrow morning, and more rain is predicted throughout the stricken areas all day.

Yea, I know, I know. The National Weather Service has been predicting this, but just to cover all the bases, just keep on dancing, Wolff. You rock. :)

Afterthought: Today, God is a fireman. :)

I saw lighting off to the southwest of my house here in Dallas so maybe some of that will hit you guys.
 
I saw lighting off to the southwest of my house here in Dallas so maybe some of that will hit you guys.

Oh, it sure did. Time is 8:50 AM, and it is raining cats and dogs here. All the fires are either out or close to out.
 
Oh, it sure did. Time is 8:50 AM, and it is raining cats and dogs here. All the fires are either out or close to out.

At 430pm yesterday, with blue skies and hot sun I told everyone at work between 0001-0200 we'd get hammered. People doubted me.

When they got in their cars to go home after 0045, soaking wet, they stopped doubting me. We got a little under 2" here, and I almost didn't make it home! The 410 loop was treacherous last night, hydroplaning all over the place!
 
Thanks to the rain we got, it looks like this is going to be the final update on the fires.

The Bearing fire is now 85% contained. The Dyer Mills fire is about 90% contained, and authorities believe it will be out within a couple of days.

A bunch of musicians are planning a benefit to assist those who lost their homes in the fires. If you live in the Houston area, or within driving distance, and would like to join the effort, or even just attend and enjoy the music, please send me a PM. I will add you to my list, and keep you in the loop, regarding date, time, and place for the benefit.

Tessaesque, you broke cherry on my list. You and Dallas rock!! :)
 
Thanks to the rain we got, it looks like this is going to be the final update on the fires.

The Bearing fire is now 85% contained. The Dyer Mills fire is about 90% contained, and authorities believe it will be out within a couple of days.

A bunch of musicians are planning a benefit to assist those who lost their homes in the fires. If you live in the Houston area, or within driving distance, and would like to join the effort, or even just attend and enjoy the music, please send me a PM. I will add you to my list, and keep you in the loop, regarding date, time, and place for the benefit.

Tessaesque, you broke cherry on my list. You and Dallas rock!! :)

Would love to be there, but right now timing is an issue, I have a screwball schedule and the kids are here.
 
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