auntbijou | Just so y'all know...

I'm wearing my mask. See?

Anyone who wants to see what's going on with the fires here in Texas can go to this link for the fire activity map. Also, KVUE, and KXAN are two local Austin stations who have been covering the wildfires and have great information about how you can help, for those who are interested.

I saw this on Facebook last night, and now I understand why, in Steiner Ranch, some people had to be evacuated by boat, because there was no time for them to get to their cars.

What I find interesting is how many people keep saying they're surprised or stunned at how fast the trees in Bastrop State Park went up. Well... it's a pine forest. Pine trees are highly resinous, and this makes them extremely flammable. Add in the fact that we're in a drought, and the trees have been baking all summer in triple digit temperatures, and you've basically got the equivalent of your Christmas tree two weeks after Christmas has passed. You couldn't have made those trees more flammable if you'd soaked them in gasoline!!

Anyhow, it feels strange to hope for a hurricane, but boy, I'm beginning to think it's going to take nothing short of one to even make a dent in our problems down here! Has this not been the most bizarre weather year or what??