When I was out for an early morning walk yesterday, a neighbor asked how close the wildfire that began on Tuesday got to our former home? A friend shared with me that the couple who purchased our home could see the flames of the fire that raged within half a mile.
That is too close for comfort! On August 2nd, the day the Storm Rider Fire that eventually encompassed 1,200 acres started, a dear friend and previous close neighbor evacuated before it was too late. She successfully had assistance in moving six horses and other animals to a safe arena in Dripping Springs. That reflects wisdom on her part. Nothing, but nothing moves faster than fire. If you wait until you know for certain that you have to leave, you’ve waited too long.
I remember the terror several years ago when I started a charcoal fire in my cast aluminum grill in the backyard. After lighting the fire, I turned to take the charcoal lighter back inside the house. For some reason, I turned before I got inside the house to see flames going in all directions in our backyard.
I screamed for the General to call the fire department while I made a feeble attempt to find an operable hydrant. It was during the dead of winter, and I had covered all of the outdoor hydrants and secured the covering with duct tape. I wanted to ensure they didn’t freeze. In addition, the closest hydrant didn’t have a water hose near.
I ran frantically toward the front of the house to a different outside hydrant. I could feel my heart in my throat. It was either that or I was having a heart attack. I wasn’t sure which.
My fleeting thought was clear: “This is how it will all end. I’ll succumb to a widow-maker and be remembered as the guy responsible for burning down the neighborhood.” That is not exactly the kind of legacy that one wants to be credited to their memory.
By the time I had the water hose in hand, the fire had spread beyond our yard fence. I’m not sure I caught my breath again before I managed successfully to extinguish the fire with the water hose.
Actually, the General had uncharacteristically paid attention to me and called the fire department as requested. Maybe the sound of panic in my voice garnered her attention! Thankfully, the fire was extinguished before the fire department arrived and we canceled our request.
The lady asking me about the fire and how it started made an interesting observation. She asked if I remembered Cracker Jacks? Of course, I remembered. Actually, I added that they still sell them, but the box is significantly smaller. Every box still contains a prize.
The lady mentioned the small magnifying glass that was sometimes a prize. I did remember them. Seriously, how many of us as children tried to hold the magnifying glass in a way that it could generate enough heat to start a fire? Gosh, I could remember doing that.
It was the lady’s thought that discarded bottles and glass are often the catalysts for grass fires starting when the sun works its magic. I had never even thought of that possibility. Yet, that seems a lot more excusable than someone throwing a lighted cigarette down.
The lady mentioned that as children she and her brother were home alone when a wildfire came toward their farm across a huge cornfield. They were absolutely terrified. She asked if I knew what a tow sack was? I did. My cognitive abilities are still pretty good. She said she and her brother frantically used wet tow sacks to try to beat out the flames.
Their attempts were futile because the fire seeming moved as quickly as spilling a bucket of water that splashes in all directions. Fortunately, the fire didn’t destroy any of the structures on their property, but she remembers the terror of the experience to this day.
The Storm Rider Fire was subsequently managed by a host of different firefighters and they brought in the big guns including planes. According the Alyson Dunn, whose son and husband are volunteer fire fighters, the Storm Rider Fire was quelled with help from: “Blanco Fire, Blanco EMS, Blanco Sheriff’s, Wimberley Fire, Wimberley EMS, North Hays Fire, Hays County Sheriff’s, South Hays Fire, Kyle Fire, Buda Fire, Johnson City Fire, Canyon Lake Fire, San Marcos Fire, Bulverde Fire, Texas Forest Service, Texas A&M, TIFMAS, TXDOT, PEC, & Intrastate Air Resources.
Thanks to all of the above and everyone else who assisted in the management of this crisis that destroyed three homes and a recreation vehicle used as an AirBNB.
All My Best!
Don
Carpe Diem 