Yes, I'm close to 3 of them, just west of Austin.

Most near me are at least partially contained, but we have bags packed by the front door just in case.

The smoke in the air is horrid, but at least the winds have died down a bit.

Mary, I am so sorry to hear this. Keep your bags close at hand and drink lots of water. Sending good thoughts your way.

sooey

Not up in NE TX yet.. We need rain pray for rain.
Some towns are without water and have to use bottled water to bathe in

We could smell the smoke late on Sunday night. My son is in Brenham, and he said it is smelly and hazy there. Brenham is half way between Houston and Austin.

On a sad note...one of his friends lost their house in Bastrop. They were able to save their dogs, but tried going back for their cats and were unsuccessful. She sounded upbeat, and was thankful her family is safe.

Northwest of Houston, fires all around. We need rain ASAP.

Mid East Texas - Fires all around for the last 3 days. It seems one pops up every few hours. I could see the smoke from 3 at the same time. A smokey haze is everywhere.

Most of TX has been in a "no outdoor burning" ban all summer. One of the larger fires near here was started by someone cooking outside which was also banned. Some others were caused by farm equipment sparking into dry grass.

It is a sad situation in Texas and fires have been an issue since last November.

Just saw on the local Amarillo news that there is a wildfire north of town. Earlier this summer, we had several fires way too close for comfort.

My thoughts are with those near the fires in the Bastrop area and the hundreds of firefighers, too.

There was a fellow that posted at the KTT who was from Bastrop. I think his name was Pete.

Fire is one of the most frightening things. I always get mad when I see someone flick a cigarette butt out the window. Don't they realize that they could cause a fire. It doesn't take much when everything is so dry.

Prayers for all the people who have had to evacuate and also the ones who have lost their homes and pets.

Thanks for checking in, Kids. It sounds like this is not going to get better any time soon. So much of the SW needs rain but it will take a lot to fix this problem.

Nita, thanks for that info. It was KTT and you think his name was Pete? I think that is the guy I was thinking of. Olphart? I think he was also in The Family Room or the Family Spot...can't remember the name of the forum. And how about Happygolucky (?) Gayle? I think she is from someplace near Houston?

We have had rain all day today. I went to the market, did not take a jacket, got wet. As I was making my way back to my car I felt wet and chilly. I decided not to complaine. I will keep you all in my thougths.

sooey

I think he started out as Pete and went to Oldphart. I could be wrong but I remember the posts about Bastrop from there.

well today the smoke is not as heavy in the air which is nice. Yesterday all you could smell was smoke and it was very hazy. It sure is some scary stuff when you smell that smoke so heavy and can not tell where it is coming from. I kept going outside to make sure I did not see any fire or smoke columns. The forest behind us is just so dry and many of the big trees are brown and dead it would burn up in a flash and jump right over to the houses here.
Praying for rain in Houston!

Another Houstonian here. And yes, the entire state needs rain. Now. The fires are horrible and my heart goes out to those who have lost so much. Two times now there have been storms in the gulf that could have come this way. First one went south, second one hit east, both missing us. When the rain finally does come, it's likely to cause flooding since the ground is so dry and hard.

My thoughts continue to be with all of you. We are having another day of rain here in the north east and as wonderful as it is to hear the drip, drip, drip on the paito, I would gladly send it your way if I could.

nita, I found Pete. I was able to find the long forgotten forum in one of my old computer logs and sure enough, he is there. He posted some pics of the fire and it looks worse than on the news. Any fires currently near you in AZ? I know you folks had your hands full a few months ago.

Wishing for cool weather and lots of rain for everyone who needs it.

sooey

Isn't Ruthie close too? Hoping everyone stays safe.

I live in Houston. We're ok here. But this reminds me of when we lived in NE FL during the fires of '98. I had to be evacuated from work, had 3x3 flyash in my pickup bed, was soooo worried the woods on the back of our property were going to go up in flames. My husband was almost trapped coming home when fires were raging on 3 sides of the road -- he backtracked to safety. I have friends whose property was destroyed. My heart goes out to all my fellow Texans who are losing homes and those forced to evacuate. When people ask me how I could live in Florida with the threat of hurricanes, I told them that the hurricanes didn't scare me because we had days of warning and could secure our property. But the fires scared the cr#p out of me. There's nothing you can do when the fires come.

My niece posted FB pics of the fire about a mile out from her home. For now she and family are OK.

I live west of San Antonio and we have a large fire burning just 30 miles from here. It is very close to an area called Fair Oaks Ranch. A subdivision of big beautiful homes. Last night they had some containment and said they would start this morning with fire retardant and water. We are worried enough that today we are going to pack a box with important papers and valuables etc etc......

Not only are we worried about fires but many are worried about wells going dry.

Wells going dry??? On top of all those wildfires, holy crap! So, so sorry to hear that.

sooey

Here in East Texas, we've got 'um!!. The air has been smokey Tues,. but is clear now. One fire was really close.

Scools closed again today, smoke much worse today, round after round of planes and helicopters going over all day. My eyes are really hurting from the smoke.

We have ash falling all over, please send up some prayers, have several friends that have lost everything.

Would be GREAT if Tropical depression Nate could head for Texas and help the state out. We had a marsh fire, and got hit by TD Irene. She put the fires out, because she brought sooo much rain. I wish the same for Texas!~

A thousand homes lost in Bastrop and although the county started posting addresses of lost structures, it is only a very partial list at this point. Yesterday some areas were allowed to go back in, but many people still don't know if their houses made it or not.

one of my elderly neighbors had a nephew that had just bought a new house and moved into it last week, they were evacuated and have not been allowed back they have no idea if they have a house or not.

I am praying for all of them and also for the rest of us that are in these extremely dry areas that no more fires spring up. The firefighters are doing all they can.

I am concerned about all the animals with this drought too, I am putting out large containers of water out back and see all manner of animals thirstily drinking including the birds. They have no place to find water so if you are in a dry area please put out some water I am sure you will be thanked by a parade of thirsty critters.

No fires near us here in AZ. We are in our Monsoon Season so have had some decent rains. Now folks are worried about floods out where the worst of the fire was since there is nothing to hold the soil back.

Since we have had rain if you didn't see all the burnt trees and cacti you would never know a fire had been through there. Everything is so green where the grasses and weeds are growing back.

thought some might be interested in the Texas wildfires map, this is on a real Google map so you can see exactly where they are and what stage they are in etc.

Here is a link that might be useful: Texas wildfires

It looks like snow here from the ash. I had a bowl in my arms, went out to say something to dh, it was covered in a minute. Will be packing up important things tomorrow. Already have emergency box, now it it time for what do you want to save. Hard choices.

One of our sons lives in Leander, outside of Austin.
He said the fire was about a mile away, some evacuations
but not him so far.
I was concerned when I read that some homes were lost
in Leander.
I know he would have let us know if he was in danger but
I didn't realize how close the fires were to him.

I just heard on the news this morning that the area of Bastrop has been designated as a disaster area. Now, people who need and want help may be able to get some. I also saw that the heat is going to regain it's hold of on much of TX in the next few days.

Still sending good thoughts your way.

sooey

My cousin and her family live just a few miles south and east of Henderson, TX. They had to evacuate for a couple days but are back in their home as of yesterday.

Ron