Wildfire 2024 Thread

Nicole44 · February 28

2 minutes ago, GreenspointTexas said:

900,000 acres now.

There isn’t a cry emoji but this is where I’d use it.

GreenspointTexas · February 28

Literally 6% of the panhandle has already been burned. Thats insane

Frank Drebin · February 28

The prairie and brush in that area will come back pretty damn quick. I used to lease Buster Welch's ranch in between Snyder and Rotan. We had a bad fire that burned several thousand acres in 2011. It came back quick.

Nicole44 · February 28

Brisketexan · February 28

1 minute ago, Frank Drebin said:

The prairie and brush in that area will come back pretty damn quick. I used to lease Buster Welch's ranch in between Snyder and Rotan. We had a bad fire that burned several thousand acres in 2011. It came back quick.

The prairie is designed to burn. It's a key part of the natural cycle there. It's actually (in the big picture) very healthy for the land. Controlled burns are a smart and good thing. Wildfires like this? Well, that's nature being nature and she gives zero fucks. Good for nature. Bad for us.

Living anywhere on this earth carries pros and cons re natural benefits vs. natural hazards. Tornadoes and prairie fires are the hazards of the plains. We can do our best to plan for them, mitigate them, etc. But sometimes, they're going to fucking bite some good people in the ass. So, that's when we need to be there for each other. We help folks out when a hurricane hits the coast, we can help folks out when a prairie fire hits the panhandle. It's the good thing to do if you grasp that we live in community with each other.

Herbie Hancock · February 28

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02EuB6bxB5VuEeXwLQq3eUhHBA4uGqeft6a8zPJUsyQBzdogmjLfysUxCK4AUZepuWl&id=100064689159523&mibextid=WC7FNe

Goredho · February 28

3 hours ago, YGIFS said:

I get how wildfires work but this one, I guess 'cause we're watching it closer than most, seemed to have come on faster and larger than most in recent memory. Our local firehouse which is just a couple hundred yards from my home sent a couple of guys to go help out already. I imagine it's gonna be all hands on deck. gonna get way worse before it gets better. All credit to former State Senator from that area Kel Seliger for marshaling resources from the State/Gov/NG to the area, hope he gets what he asks for.

Fucking fuck, this thing got massive in a big hurry. It's an empty gesture for us to go up there and stand around and I can't take the time away from work and the kids, but how can help? After the literal ashes cool, at the Spring Game Taigate, we could have the proceeds/donations go to folks affected by this because I know we've many posters from/living/kin in that area. And it's getting bigger. Just one pro tip, let's not call it 'Burnt Ends'

Most wildfires are like that. When conditions are bad, and they are often bad these days (all 10 of Colorado's biggest wildfires in history are in the last 22 years), you can go from "Oh, there's a 50 acre wildfire 10 miles away" to "OH FUCK JUMP IN THE CAR WE NEED TO EVACUATE ASAP" in a couple of hours.

Leeroy Jenkins · February 28

11 minutes ago, Herbie Hancock said:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02EuB6bxB5VuEeXwLQq3eUhHBA4uGqeft6a8zPJUsyQBzdogmjLfysUxCK4AUZepuWl&id=100064689159523&mibextid=WC7FNe

I saw that earlier. Strong work.

High Plains Drifter · February 28

13 minutes ago, Frank Drebin said:

The prairie and brush in that area will come back pretty damn quick. I used to lease Buster Welch's ranch in between Snyder and Rotan. We had a bad fire that burned several thousand acres in 2011. It came back quick.

With a normal amount of rain (big if), the grass should be back in a year, two tops. Then in a natural ecosystem it would burn again in 5-20 or so years. But naturally occurring burns would not be so wide spread-- they would be more "patchy". We have traded frequent but small burns for infrequent but large burns. Not good for ecosystems, or ranches, or people.

Mix in climate change (fucked up rain patterns, overall hotter temps on average) and shit is even more fucked.

I know this probably won't be a popular opinion, so please don't neg stomp me, but they should just let that shit burn. Because its going to burn eventually, and the more time that passes before it burns, the hotter/more ecologically destructive the burning will be.

(Of course, they should do everything they can to protect people, homes, barns, livestock, etc).

Herbie Hancock · February 28

That is quite possibly the worst idea.

Goredho · February 28

900,000 acres puts it as the #4 size wildfire by acres burned in U.S. history. Am guessing it has a strong chance to pass #2, the 2020 August Complex fire in CA that burned 1,032,648 acres. #1 is the 1825 Miramichi Fire that burned 3 million acres.

Mrs Whiggins · February 28

1 hour ago, Goredho said:

Most wildfires are like that. When conditions are bad...

The front that came through this week had some very strong winds from way north down to Texas. It just accelerates and dries as it blows.

Kennythetiger · February 28

@Nicole44 I assume that the priority right now is evacuation and containment. Later on if there are relief efforts would you link them? I would be specifically interested in hay donations. I don’t have facebook.

Nicole44 · February 28

InkaUtexas · February 28

Damn this sucks. We don't get some real rain shit is going to be rough this summer. I lived in both Bastrop fires and it fucked up the community in a lot of ways.

Brisketexan · February 29

2 hours ago, High Plains Drifter said:

With a normal amount of rain (big if), the grass should be back in a year, two tops. Then in a natural ecosystem it would burn again in 5-20 or so years. But naturally occurring burns would not be so wide spread-- they would be more "patchy". We have traded frequent but small burns for infrequent but large burns. Not good for ecosystems, or ranches, or people.

Mix in climate change (fucked up rain patterns, overall hotter temps on average) and shit is even more fucked.

I know this probably won't be a popular opinion, so please don't neg stomp me, but they should just let that shit burn. Because its going to burn eventually, and the more time that passes before it burns, the hotter/more ecologically destructive the burning will be.

(Of course, they should do everything they can to protect people, homes, barns, livestock, etc).

They can't just let THIS fire burn, it's too big, mean, and destructive. You have to contain it if possible.

Now, they should probably look at being more aggressive about controlled burns in the panhandle going forward, but that's a separate path.

Macanudo · February 29

53 minutes ago, Goredho said:

900,000 acres puts it as the #4 size wildfire by acres burned in U.S. history. Am guessing it has a strong chance to pass #2, the 2020 August Complex fire in CA that burned 1,032,648 acres. #1 is the 1825 Miramichi Fire that burned 3 million acres.

I would never have guessed that the largest forest fire in North America was in northern New Brunswick almost 200 years ago.

InkaUtexas · February 29

8 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

They can't just let THIS fire burn, it's too big, mean, and destructive. You have to contain it if possible.

Now, they should probably look at being more aggressive about controlled burns in the panhandle going forward, but that's a separate path.

Agree. One issue is the western Federal fire air fleet is not ready right now. Buddy is a flight mechanic. Said his chopper is in pieces getting ready for their season in Utah/California.

They need all assets they can get. What is the forecast?

atomheartbevo · February 29

16 minutes ago, InkaUtexas said:

What is the forecast?

Potential snow showers in the morning, but next four days have winds of 17-26mph.

Goredho · February 29

26 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

They can't just let THIS fire burn, it's too big, mean, and destructive. You have to contain it if possible.

Now, they should probably look at being more aggressive about controlled burns in the panhandle going forward, but that's a separate path.

All my experience with wildfire is here in Colorado. The usual strategy they use here for a big fire is to try to make hard lines to protect humans and homes, but to go ahead and let the fire spread freely up the mountains assuming there is no population between the fire and the top. It kind of races up the mountain to the tree line, then there's nothing left to burn and it dies. A lot of that depends on weather conditions.

Given the completely different geography of the panhandle, I don't know how that strategy changes. I will say, there aren't enough fire fighters in the world to make a perimeter around a 900,000 acre forest fire. I am guessing they are going to want to pick places to burn to try to direct it back into its own burn path where it can't burn forward into an already scorched land. Like that Tron light cycle game.

February 29

Hemphill, TX is not in Hemphill County, Texas. In fact they are about 585 miles apart.

Come on news people...

Edited February 29 by slorch

Nicole44 · February 29

17 minutes ago, slorch said:

Hemphill, TX is not in Hemphill County, Texas. In fact they are about 585 miles apart.

Come on news people...

Most of the people in the US don’t even know what the Panhandle is. Shit, people in Texas don’t even know what the Panhandle is. Most people don’t know the Panhandle has the nation’s second largest canyon in Palo Duro canyon. Humble brag picture of my family’s ranch below—view from the front porch. And I understand controlled burns but it’s windy there. Windy all the fucking time. Like we are used to 20-35 mph winds and many times double that. The wind is a huge factor. We have mostly mesquite trees and prairie grass and fucking tumbleweeds.

One of my good friends is helping to organize places for people to bring their livestock and other animals. The thing is this could shift any time with the fucking winds. And be like a raging inferno. If I have something to post on how people can assist I will do that (vetting what I post already.)

the Palo Duro Canyon is beautiful and a treasure. I shudder to think if the fire goes in the canyon. It’s scary. It’s mainly short grass and brush/bushes. It’s not a ton of overgrown shit.

Nicole44 · February 29

1 hour ago, Kennythetiger said:

@Nicole44 I assume that the priority right now is evacuation and containment. Later on if there are relief efforts would you link them? I would be specifically interested in hay donations. I don’t have facebook.

Will do!

Nicole44 · February 29

Nicole44 · February 29

Damnit…

Hpara759 · February 29

16 minutes ago, Nicole44 said:

Most of the people in the US don’t even know what the Panhandle is. Shit, people in Texas don’t even know what the Panhandle is. Most people don’t know the Panhandle has the nation’s second largest canyon in Palo Duro canyon. Humble brag picture of my family’s ranch below—view from the front porch. And I understand controlled burns but it’s windy there. Windy all the fucking time. Like we are used to 20-35 mph winds and many times double that. The wind is a huge factor. We have mostly mesquite trees and prairie grass and fucking tumbleweeds.

One of my good friends is helping to organize places for people to bring their livestock and other animals. The thing is this could shift any time with the fucking winds. And be like a raging inferno. If I have something to post on how people can assist I will do that (vetting what I post already.)

the Palo Duro Canyon is beautiful and a treasure. I shudder to think if the fire goes in the canyon. It’s scary. It’s mainly short grass and brush/bushes. It’s not a ton of overgrown shit.

And most do not realize these fires are in the " Canadian River breaks" land north and south of said breaks is the flat prairie...but where the fires are it is hills and canyons and very rough country which makes it hard for the firefighters

Nicole44 · February 29

8 minutes ago, Hpara759 said:

And most do not realize these fires are in the " Canadian River breaks" land north and south of said breaks is the flat prairie...but where the fires are it is hills and canyons and very rough country which makes it hard for the firefighters

This as well. The terrain is so different from what people imagine. It’s a mix of things. Canyons and ridges and hills and cactus and prairie grass and mesquite. It’s just different. And yes, it makes a challenge for firefighters. The wind is just lighting fuse after fuse. We have to have the rain/snow that they said was possible. It likely won’t hit many of the areas needed but it will absolutely help.

Bevo&Pevo · February 29

All I got is WOW! Good luck to all.

Nicole44 · February 29

This is fucking nightmare fuel:

bolverk · February 29

3 minutes ago, Nicole44 said:

This as well. The terrain is so different from what people imagine. It’s a mix of things. Canyons and ridges and hills and cactus and prairie grass and mesquite. It’s just different. And yes, it makes a challenge for firefighters. The wind is just lighting fuse after fuse. We have to have the rain/snow that they said was possible. It likely won’t hit many of the areas needed but it will absolutely help.

I watched one of Amarillo's local weather guys, and it doesn't look good for that part of the Panhandle. He said the best chances for precipitation were in the south-western portions of the viewing area, so toward Clovis and Hereford.

I'll keep my fingers crossed anyway.

used2b · February 29

My cousin's ranch land was totally burned. Yes, it will come back. But in the meantime, the cattle up there need food. So send your extra hay. Especially if you don't want meat prices to go up even more.

Edited February 29 by used2b

Nicole44 · February 29

The biggest news of the day might be from the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Three Single Engine Airtankers (SEAT) started attacking the wildfires from the air.

Two more SEATS and a helicopter will arrive at the Moore County Airport in Dumas on Friday.

The National Park Service is also getting federal resources to fight the fires from the ground and air.
https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/wildfire-outbreak-day-3-smokehouse-creek-firew-now-2nd-largest-in-state-history-texas-am-forest-service-firefighters-canadian-hemphill-county-windy-deuce-hutchinson-county-fritch-borger-grape-vine-creek-cray-county-lefors-pampa#

This is a good place to donate if you can. They had to do a lot for the Amarillo fire in 2006 which was massive:

https://amarilloareafoundation.org/disaster/

This is a HUGE list of places to donate:

https://www.newschannel10.com/2024/02/28/ways-donate-wildfire-victims-across-tx-panhandle/

it’s set up by area and items of need.

Edited February 29 by Nicole44

FORTY NINE TO ZERO · February 29

8 hours ago, Rimbo said:

Maybe they'll wake up and realize climate change is real.

It's not just disasters that are more frequent. It's that they happen in places where they're not happening before.

SoCal gets fires every year. It's actually part of the natural ecosystem; certain plants depend on the fires to spread their seeds. It's still dangerous, but our services are more or less prepared to deal with them.

But when the city had flash floods last month? People died simply because nobody ever thought you shouldn't build homes in the valleys because it never flooded there. And they actually called a Tornado Warning, I shit you not, because they saw winds whirling around on radar at a whopping 35mph. Had no idea what do do with it. Nobody saw a twister, and even if they had, 35 mph isn't even EF0. In Amarillo, that's Tuesday.

Hope they can bring this shit under control.

I get what you are saying, but flooding in southern Cali has happened every 10-25 years historically. Many have created inland seas. Atmospheric rivers are particularly common in El Niño years.

Hell, look up the great flood of 1861. We don’t want a repeat of that

Nicole44 · February 29

It appears it’s not going to hit everywhere we need but this is positive:

Rimbo · February 29

55 minutes ago, FORTY NINE TO ZERO said:

flooding in southern Cali has happened every 10-25 years historically.

Not to this extent, and not this often. We're down to every 3-5 years instead of 10-25.

sasquatch69 · February 29

Quote

Most of the people in the US don’t even know what the Panhandle is. Shit, people in Texas don’t even know what the Panhandle is.

This is true. Twitter the past couple of days has been massively confused over "Canadian fires" references, but in Texas.

Also, the Canadian River Breaks area is one of my favorite vistas anywhere. On our trips to NM and CO, that drive up 87 out of Amarillo or the Tascosa Road near Boys Ranch just hits different after hours of flat pastureland.

Grande Mart · February 29

I grew up in Amarillo, Partied under the Canadian River Bridge in high school

bolverk · February 29

23 minutes ago, sasquatch69 said:

This is true. Twitter the past couple of days has been massively confused over "Canadian fires" references, but in Texas.

Also, the Canadian River Breaks area is one of my favorite vistas anywhere. On our trips to NM and CO, that drive up 87 out of Amarillo or the Tascosa Road near Boys Ranch just hits different after hours of flat pastureland.

Very true. I've been making that drive about once a year for the last 30 since my sister lives in Denver, and she's the traditional Thanksgiving host. It's one of those significant markers of progress having been achieved. A lot of Texans likely associate Amarillo with Lubbock, much like they do Midland/Odessa, thinking they're all generic "West Texas" cities. But each region, the Permian Basin, the South Plains, and the Panhandle, has its own distinct history, culture, and landscape.

InkaUtexas · February 29

Was going to head up to Palo Duro late march for some down time. Guess it is more important now than ever

Kennythetiger · February 29

6 hours ago, InkaUtexas said:

Was going to head up to Palo Duro late march for some down time. Guess it is more important now than ever

Heading through there for the solar eclipse. Will end up in Cisco. Hoping to spend some time in the Palo Duro region and visit Charles Goodnight’s grave.

HenryJames · February 29

9 hours ago, Nicole44 said:

This is fucking nightmare fuel:

Guy was driving through somewhere the fire had already passed.

Hpara759 · February 29

Amarillo this morning ..... hopefully it's doing it north of town

SimonBolivar · February 29

54 minutes ago, Hpara759 said:

Amarillo this morning ..... hopefully it's doing it north of town

My radar feed is showing it doing some work on the fire near Fritch.

Nicole44 · February 29

20 minutes ago, SimonBolivar said:

My radar feed is showing it doing some work on the fire near Fritch.

This is fabulous news because every little bit helps. Praying for some rain in the next week. It’s just so depressing. On my family’s ranch we don’t use any pesticides or anything so we have a lot of the red ants and horned toads (which are rapidly disappearing from our landscape.) so I am hopeful this snow helps at least contain the Fritch one. The Smokehouse Creek one is just another matter. Damn.

Herbie Hancock · February 29

The boys assigned to chase hotspots have been repositioned to make a push on the fire line. If the wind behaves and the snow continues there could be a drastic increase in containment by the end of the day. This is the same scenario that helped extinguish the Marshall fire between Boulder and Denver a couple years ago.

Edit for clarity: gonna need a lot more snow for it to have much effect, but it’s a start.

BehoId, The Underminer! · February 29

17 hours ago, High Plains Drifter said:

I know this probably won't be a popular opinion, so please don't neg stomp me, but they should just let that shit burn. Because its going to burn eventually, and the more time that passes before it burns, the hotter/more ecologically destructive the burning will be.

Nicole44 · February 29

Never been so happy to see snow in my life! Let it snow! ❄️

Edited February 29 by Nicole44

Nicole44 · February 29

Snow snow snow ❄️ ⛄️

PenelopeWitherspoon · February 29

Just got info from my cousin who is the Mayor of Shamrock. He said they are all ok, with fires about 20 miles north, with winds out of the south (this is as of this AM, fyi). He did say possible rain or snow this AM, which would be nice.

So, got that going, which is nice.

Nicole44 · February 29

Man I miss Braums! I love their little grocery store and ice cream and especially milk. People that don’t have a Braums are missing out!

Here is a phone number to pass around to those trying to relocate livestock.

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