Texas Fires

This was the Riley Road fire in Magnolia, Tx as we drove out of town for the weekend on Friday. I was shocked at the size of the smoke plume. But, good news! When we came back on Sunday, the plume was nowhere to be seen. I was surprised to learn that the fire had burned 22,000 acres (as opposed to the 11,000 number I'd heard Thursday) but, thank the Lord, the fire is mostly contained.

The Bastrop fire is still only 50% contained and continues to burn so please, continue to keep Texas in your thoughts. My heart goes out to those finally returning to their homes to find...who knows what?

Thank you for your prayers.

Comments

[Heidi J. Horan]

Thank you, Deryn, for mentioning the Texas fires. Last Sunday, my daughter and husband, who live in Bastrop, were away from home and working at the festival at the Sherwood Forest Faire. It's not far from where they live. They got a call about the fires. By the time they drove the few miles home, the roads were closed and they couldn't get in. On Tuesday, they were finally allowed in to their house. It was a small pile of rubble. Unfortunately, they lost all of their animals, including 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 hedgehogs, 14 chickens and a miniature horse baby, which they had just brought home... thankfully, they are safe, except for their psyches. Bastrop activated the emergency management lines at 2:28PM and at 2:59PM, a message was posted on facebook that fire was all over Charolais Rd., which is their address. It burned 4,000 acres in less than an hour. The power of nature is scary and, on this scale, many of us know someone affected. I used to think that too many people spent too much time on facebook...maybe they do, but I have since seen the good that site does, whether it is informing and warning people, or helping rescue pets and reuniting them with grateful owners. Anyway, any time someone acknowledges and honors those who have losses in these disasters, I want to thank them. So, thank you.
Heidi Horan

[Renate]

So much devastation... stay safe.