I was watching the news this morning and hoping that Ngaire and Ken and all other Texas LCTers are not affected by the fires!!!!

Sheri,

I was wondering the same thing. I just caught a quick report on the news this morning and they didn't say exactly where the fires are in Texas. Sure hope all our LCT friends are O.K. I'll be sending all my good thoughts and prayers their way.

Sheri, so far the fires are in the "wide open spaces" and the suburbs of Dallas and Fort Worth, not in the main cities where Ngaire and I live . I know Don and Diana live in Keller, I haven't heard of any fires near there either. The wind has died down today and it's supposed to be a little cooler so the fire threat is diminished. They say the windy conditions will return later in the week, so expect more fires. We've turned our sprinklers on to "rain" every day just in case a fire comes near here.

Stay safe all our Texas LCT friends that could be in harm's way!!

I still say Mother Nature is on a rampage. Wild fires at the end of December?? Also, poor San Francisco is getting hammered with rain.

Thinking good thoughts for those possibly affected by these fires! Hope all our LCT friends are safe!

We are doing fine here. There are no fires in the Keller area. Like Peggy said most are in the wide open areas, not in the suburbs of DFW. Fires are north of us towards Oklahoma and some are in the west and south, but a good distance away from us.

We are definately in the middle of a drought and with the weather being near the 80's for the past few days, things are awfully dry.

Good hearing that you are OK, Don/Diana and Peggy! I just received an email from Priscilla telling me that they were OK, too!

Very relieved that there is no serious danger to any of you!

Hey, we are having some here in Oklahoma too -- and not too far from where I live. Fortunately (or unfortunately) these things happen and destroy property only in rural areas with dry and dead high grasses that are allowed to remain near structures. In suburban areas, those with dry (not dead) but flamable bermuda grass lawns always have them cut too short to really support such a fire. Those of us with fescue grass lawns have green growning grass that wouldn't catch fire if we tried to set one.

As a young man, I used to live on a ranch here in Oklahoma. Because of the fire danger, we always cut any tall dry grasses anywhere near the house and other buildings and made hay for the cattle out of it. So there are precautions that can be taken here to prevent any danger to property. Yes, we had some fires, but they didn't endanger house, barns, or any other buildings.

As in all situations, a little common sense goes a long way.

Thanks,
Richard

Maybe this is a good time to remind people to have an occasional emergency drill at home. Make a list of your important possessions you'd want to take with you. Make a backpack or suitcase you can grab quickly with a change or two of clothes. Take photographs or a video of your home - that really helped me out to prove ownership and value after the Northridge Earthquake. Have emergency supplies of food - canned goods etc. And bottled water - a gallon per person per day for a week, flashlights, batteries, a radio. Don't forget crates and dog/cat supplies and food. Keep your cellphone charged - it might work if the power goes out. Never let your car's gas tank get so empty you couldn't go to a safer area.

Its' pretty stressful when you are in the middle of a crisis to remember what to take and where to go.

Be safe everyone.

Not only are these fires just north of where my mother & sister live in Oklahoma, Clay tells me that Cross Plains, TX is only 35 miles from his home town. Several of his relatives own farm/ranch land in the area. I think I am going to make a few phone calls tonight.