Here in Texas, we’ve been recent victims of the worst brush fires in our history. A relentless Texas wildfire in Bastrop County east of Austin destroyed over 1,550 homes, consumed over 34,000 acres and has set a somber state record: The highest number of homes lost in a single fire in Texas…ever. Increased winds and lack of rain helped fuel the fire that jumped the Colorado River at least twice. That’s no small feat.
Some families were given only minutes to evacuate as the raging blaze surrounded homes and neighborhoods. Some had time to gather a few important belongings, others fled with only the clothes on their back. I know because my niece and her family were one of the evacuees. They lost almost everything. Even though their home is gone, they still have their family and pets all safe together. Fire could not take everything from them. They still have their spirit and friends and family who care. (Thanks to all of you who have helped us help them) Below is a picture she took looking behind as they left their home for the last time.
How did this fire start? I heard it was a teenager who was burning a love letter, but it could have just as easily been a cigarette thrown out of a car window, or an ember from a BBQ that floated away. What we should take away from this tragedy is that, when conditions are ripe for fire, you should think twice before throwing your butt out of the window or gassing up the grill. 90% of wildfires are a direct result of human error or negligence. Remember, a fire starts with a single spark, but can affect thousands of lives, tens of thousands of acres and countless numbers of wildlife.
If you’d like to contribute to rebuilding and clean up of Bastrop and the surrounding areas, secure, tax-deductible online donations to the Texas Wildfire Relief Fund can be made by visiting, www.txwildfirerelief.org.