Wildfires Continue to Be a Threat in Texas

September 9, 2011- Leon County

The fire that started in the Concord-Robbins area on Sunday is at 100% containment and 75% extinguished, and mandatory evacuations have been lifted. Officials estimate that 5,000 acres and at least 20 homes and other structures have been destroyed. There was a scare Wednesday, when another separate fire broke out less than a mile from Leon ISD. The fire was quickly contained and extinguished and there was no danger to the school.

Leon County fire victims have been asked to call the Leon County Judge’s Office at 903-536-2331, to provide names, addresses and a phone number where they can be contacted, along with a list of items lost and their approximate value.

Fires Affect Other Texas Counties

Bastrop, Bosque/Hill, Palo Pinto and Robertson Counties:

Meanwhile, in other parts of Texas, new fires have been reported and the fire in Bastrop continues to burn.

Six homes have been destroyed and classes were canceled Friday in the Lake Whitney area after a rapidly moving wildfire broke out Thursday south of the Lake Whitney Dam on State Highway 22. Lake Whitney is located in Bosque and Hill Counties. A brushfire was also reported in Robertson County, which is under control at 90% containment. That fire burned about 40 acres, and was located approximately five miles north of Hearne.

At least two lives, and close to 1,400 homes have been lost in the Bastrop fire, which was reported at just 30% containment Thursday. Approximately 5,000 area residents remain evacuated, though those evacuated from areas not burned were allowed to return home.

Bastrop county officials have identified one of the two deceased as Michael Troy Farr, age 49. Farr had worked for the City of Austin for the past eight years, according to the Austin American-Statesman. His body was found outside his home on Hudson Drive in Smithville on Tuesday.

Bastrop ISD has stated that all classes and school related activities have been canceled this week because of the fire. Texas Task Force 1 arrived in Bastrop Wednesday with a 100-member team and close to a dozen search dogs. Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel were also expected.

The fire in Bastrop County is the most disastrous wildfire in Texas in more than a decade, destroying the most homes ever in a single wildfire in Texas, passing the previous record, which was set in April 2011 by the Possum Kingdom Lake fire, which continues to burn.

Montgomery, Waller, and Grimes Counties:

A fire situated on the borders of Grimes, Waller and Montgomery Counties has scorched some 12,500 acres of land in the tri-county area, and destroyed 75 homes. There are Mandatory evacuation orders in place in Grimes County.

The blame for the wildfires in Texas rests strongly on the yearlong drought, one of the most severe ever recorded in Texas. Evacuees have been urged by Governor Rick Perry to register on the American Red Cross’ Safe and Well website to allow friends and loved ones to check their status.

Services Set For Bastrop Fire Victim

Michael Troy Farr, aged 49, was an electrician from Smithville, Texas. He passed away Tuesday, September 6, 2011. Services for Mr. Farr will be held at the Beck Funeral Home in Cedar Park at 2 p.m. September 17, 2011.

Farr had been evacuated from his home in Smithville on Sunday while wildfires blazed nearby. He returned home with his fiancee and two dogs on Monday to retrieve some of his tools, according to his mother, Linda Appleton.

With fire nearing the street where his home was located, Michael Farr asked his fiancee to return to the motel they were staying in, vowing to meet her there. Farr did not make it back.

Sheriff’s officers responded to a call from Farr’s family to check on him, and found his body Tuesday afternoon, outside the home. His house and truck were burned, and the dogs have not been seen.

Michael Troy Farr is described as a shy, quiet man who enjoyed golf and fishing. He was a blue-collar worker, having been an union electrician in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for several years. He left the union and took a job with the City of Austin in 2003, working the majority of his time at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

On the Political Front

President Obama called Texas Governor Perry on Wednesday to extend his condolences and to give assurances that the federal assistance would be available to state and local officials. According to a statement issued by the White House, National Security staff have been directed by President Obama to work closely with FEMA, the Forest Service and Texas officials to make sure all resources are available.

Governor Perry took part in a debate between GOP presidential candidates in California on Wednesday. Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst requested a major federal disaster declaration for the state in his absence.

Dewhurst reported that state resources have been spread very thin because of the numerous fires burning across the state. “That’s why we need the federal government to step up to the plate immediately,” he said. Dewhurst further stated “There are federal resources including aircraft, bulldozers, and other heavy equipment that can and should be made available.”How you can Help

There are several ways you can help those affected by the Texas Wildfires:

The First Baptist Church of Centerville has been accepting donations of clothing and appliances for those affected by the Leon County fires.

H-E-B has been sending the HEB Mobile Kitchen to the area and donating meals, water, and ice to the evacuees and volunteers combating the fires. Austin area stores will be launching a disaster relief campaign, where customers will be able to add a donation of $1, $3, or $5 to their bill at check out. H-E-B is donating an additional $50,000 to the Red Cross to help the communities affected by the wildfires.

The United Way of Central Texas has opened the Text to Give, For The Wildfire Victim Relief Line. You can text UWCT to 85944 and make a $5 donation toward Texas Wildfire victim relief.

The Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Association of McLennan County is also accepting donations for firefighters and victims of the wildfire in Bastrop.

For other ways you can help, please visit the following sites for info:

American Red Cross of Central Texas

Austin Disaster Relief Network

Capital Area Food Bank of Texas

Salvation Army of Texas , or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY

Sources:

Press Release, Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Texas, David Dewhurst, September 7, 2011

5,000 Acre Leon County Wildfire 100 Percent Contained; KWTX.com
Fire Destroys Several Area Homes, Closes Local Schools; KWTX.com

Central Texas Wildfires Have Destroyed Nearly 1,400 Homes; KWTX.com

Robertson County Brushfire Brought Under Control; John Gilbert, KBTX.com

Wildfire Continues to Burn in Montgomery, Waller, and Grimes Counties; Clay Falls, KBTX.com

Death Notice for Michael Troy Farr, Legacy.com

Fire victim when back for his tools, mother said; Steven Kreytak, with additional material from Mike Ward, Austin American Statesman, September 8, 2011


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *