Texas on Fire: Perry Skips Forum to Do His Job

As many of us are relaxing with family and friends on this Labor Day, my fellow Texas in the Bastrop area are fleeing huge wildfires. 97% of Texas is under a drought warning so while it feels nice outside from the lower temps of the winds from Tropical Storm Lee, these winds are fueling an already too dry ground with the fast moving firestorm.

In the past few days, more than 500 homes have been destroyed and a mother and baby were killed when they could not escape the fast moving wildfire in time. Over 25,000 acres have burned across Texas jumping the Colorado River and highways. If you are in these areas, please use caution and stay safe.

Just take a look at this raw footage from Texans in the path of these wildfires:

And this where I’ve driven so many times on my way from the Houston area to Austin:

One more that shows how quickly you can go from thinking the wildfire is far away to yeah … not so much:

Oh. For those of you who may be making snide comments about Governor Perry cancelling his attendance at this week’s GOP forum in SC to help lead Texas and her citizens in containment, restoration and recovery of and from these devastating wildfires, I say STOP it now. Looks like our Governor was trying to remotely participate in DeMint forum FROM Texas, but reports state it cannot happen. It is what it is.

I understand that he’ll be criticized whether he stays in SC or whether he returns home, but I am thankful for his leadership and that he’s returned to Texas. After all, Texans have been fighting these wildfires for MANY months now with no relief. Over 3.5 MILLION acres have burned in Texas in 2011, so stop politicizing Perry’s decision to return to Texas.

Governor Perry is quoted as saying “I’m not paying attention to politics right now … There will be plenty of time for that. People’s lives and their possessions are at stake and that’s substantially more important.” I couldn’t agree more. For those of you still skeptical, and I know many are, please instead turn that negative energy into something positive by helping your fellow citizen and donating to one to the suggested links below.

Various updates can be found at City of Austin Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Track all the Texas wildfires here! There are many links to monitor the movement and locations. This link provides wildfire containment percentages when you click the fire icon. Please also check this map from the Texas Department of Transportation on what roads are closed so you can plan accordingly.



To help picture the size of the Bastrop fire, here’s a map that shows the area it covers.

Please help those affected by the Texas wildfires here (ht @KXAN_News):

• FIREFIGHTER MANPOWER REQUEST: Anyone in Central Texas that has firefighting experience is requested to call 512-978-1187!
• American Red Cross Central Texas – only monetary donations at this time, but check the website for additional info on assistance that can be provided.
• To get involved providing supplies and relief to families affected by the wildfires, please email: serve@celebrationchurchtx.com.
• A Facebook page is taking donations, but no cash at this time.
• Faith Family Services in Hutto is picking up clothing and food donations for delivery to area pantries and organizations in direct contact with victims. They are also coordinating emergency housing with area homes. For more information, email: faithfamilyhomes@yahoo.com or call 210-334-1708.

More info on how to help can be found on KXAN’s website at the jump.

Thousands of updates on properties and evacuations throughout Texas can be found on the Texas Storm Chasers Facebook page.

Your support is critical and urgent – Help Texas and the Wildland Firefighters by making a tax deductible donation to Texas Wildfire Relief Fund today!

Want to listen for emergency services updates and notifications? iTunes has an app for that: Scanner Radio.

Twitter users please follow news on these wildfires by using hashtags #txfire #txwildfire #centraltxfires.

Please say a prayer for all those affected by these horrific events. And pray for rain in Texas too. Doesn’t look we’ll get anytime soon.

Much appreciated if you added additional numbers and websites to help my fellow Texans in the comment thread.

And here are a couple of pics I took from my iPhone around 1600 hours Sunday to show how close the Montgomery and Grimes County wildfire is to me in Cypress, a suburb NW of Houston. Thousands near Houston have been evacuated in Montgomery, Waller and Grimes County in the past 24 hours.

And the picture below came from my daughter on her way via I10 West back to Texas State around 1800 hours Sunday.