Wildfire Relief

[mr surveyor]

We certainly need to pray for rain, and it will come eventually. But, our firefighters (both paid and volunteer) and all other first responders are certainly in need of prayer, comfort and relief immediately. Even though I'm no longer active in the fire/ems work, I am on our county (Rusk) Emergency Services District board. I've spent the last 36 hours monitoring the activity of our 14 fire departments in Rusk County, as well as the departments in the immediately adjoining counties, and every able bodied first responder has been working wild fires scattered over the entire county. Every county in the NE part of the state has been ravaged by the wildfires for the past two days, partly due to the extreme drought conditions, partly due to the backside winds of 20-35 mph dealt to us by the recent tropical storm (Lee), and partly due to extremely low relative humidity (12-15%). Fortunately, this all started on a Sunday morning while the most volunteer firemen were available, and continued on a Monday holiday while most were still available. Tomorrow will be a work day for most of the volunteers, which will leave the firefighting man power greatly reduced during the day, but those same volunteers will be back in the smoke tomorrow night if needed.

I ask that everyone offer up a prayer for the benefit of their local fire departments and first responders.

Thanks

surv

[MoJo]

Praying for relief for all fighting the fires and for the victims.

[Divided Attention]

There are over 76 fires burning around the state.

Sending up prayers for all the board members, families, neighbors and first responders effected by these. There are 2 rather large fires right around us. One near the Magnolia area Northwest of Tomball - y'all be safe! The other is a little to close for comfort just north in the Tamina area.

Everyone be careful out there. Make sure your BBQ pits are cool before leaving them! Don't throw your butts out windows, and watch for spark causing activities (welding and the like). The whole state is fartin' dust dry!

[mr surveyor]

we did have two very unfortunate fatalities just to the North of us in the "Gladewater Fire" in Gregg County... a 20 year old young woman and her 18 month old daughter. That fire is still active as this time.

[texanron]

Wild Fire Map
My folks were told to evacuate last night in the area of the wildfires west of Magnolia. At the time of this post we're not sure if their house is still standing. I haven't been able to sleep much so I'm waiting on the 4am broadcast of KHOU 11 in Houston to come on. Thoughts and prayers to all the first responders and victims across Texas.

[A-R]

Obviously, this does not begin to match the level of despair as the loss of life, home, business, etc. But this image struck me as I'm sure it will strike all gun owners.

Sure hope this gentleman - at least - found the treasures kept in his safe basically intact and salvageable. Prayers that all his family and friends are OK and will recover from this tragedy.

see copyrighted image here: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/12400 ... mages-News" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BASTROP, TX - SEPTEMBER 7: Thomas Polly tries to pry open a fireproof gun safe with his father Louie Polly counter balancing in the rubble of their burned house in a subdivision, September 7, 2011 near Bastrop, Texas. Several large wildfires have been devastating Bastrop County for the last three days, but are now 30 percent contained, according to the Texas Forest Service. (Photo by Erich Schlegel/Getty Images)

EDITED TO ADD: Hadn't even noticed until looked at photo again, but the house across the street appears undamaged.