Texas fires kill 4, destroy more than 1,000 homes

[nadinbrzezinski]

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By MICHAEL GRACZYK
The Associated Press

BASTROP, Texas — One of the most devastating wildfire outbreaks in Texas history left more than 1,000 homes in ruins Tuesday and stretched the state's firefighting ranks to the limit, confronting Gov. Rick Perry with a major disaster at home just as the GOP presidential contest heats up.


Firefighters from around the state battle a large wildfire on Highway 71 near Smithville, Texas, Monday, Sep. 5, 2011. A roaring wildfire raced unchecked Monday through rain-starved farm and ranchland in Texas, destroying nearly 500 homes during a rapid advance fanned in part by howling winds from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee. (AP Photo/Erich Schlegel)

Flames from a gas pipe continue to burn at a home that caught fire when wildfires swept through the area, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, in Bastrop, Texas. More than 1,000 homes have burned in at least 57 wildfires across rain-starved Texas, officials said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who cut short a presidential campaign trip to South Carolina to return to help oversee firefighting efforts in Texas, speaks during a news conference Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, in Austin, Texas. Perry marveled at the destruction and pointed out that more than 100,000 acres in the drought-stricken state had burned over the past week, and that more than 3.5 million acres _ an area roughly the size of Connecticut _ had burned since December. (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Ricardo B. Brazziell) MAGS OUT; NO SALES; TV OUT; INTERNET OUT; AP MEMBERS ONLY



http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/texas-fires-kill-4-1160119.html

Ed for copyright.

[cwydro]

1. Horrible.

I hope they get the help they need in there fast.

[hlthe2b]

2. DIsaster overload.... Is there no end?

Damn... Unfortunately the weariness--that I surely am not alone in feeling-- may hurt Red Cross and other private donations, eventually. And, THAT is why we need Federal disaster response, Governor Hairball! Because Americans deserve help when natural disaster strikes--even when they live in states with a jerk proposing secession from the Union. sigh....

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Yup

This is major...and the only way it will truly stop is...rain..lots of it.

[txwhitedove]

3. Meanwhile, closer to Houston approx. 8,000 acres have burned north of Houston

in a 3-county fire:

http://www.click2houston.com/news/29086323/detail.html

We smelled smoke this morning, and I've heard they can smell the smoke down in Corpus Christi.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Take care...these fires are moving fast

[malaise]

4. This really is a major disaster

:cry:

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Indeed... They need rain...

[Shagbark Hickory]

8. The planet is majorly pissed.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Nah, just climactic change

It is becoming increasingly obvious.

[Shagbark Hickory]

10. What's becoming increasingly obvious is that the planet is fucking pissed and changing the climate

is part of her defense to keep us from further destroying her.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. I am surre glad to know the industrial revolution and the injection of CO2

Into it has nothing to do with this. It's all Gaia...

I got no idea what is better...

[Shagbark Hickory]

12. No, that's part of it too.

We're destroying the planet. And she's not having it any longer.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. I am sorry if I will not walk down that path with you

It enters belief into a scientific matter.

It might not matter...holocene extinction and all.

[Shagbark Hickory]

18. You have to admit, it seems fitting she'd pick texas. And DC for an earthquake.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. Science....

Arghhh

[white_wolf]

14. 1,000 homes destroyed and yet Perry's and Bush's mansions still stand.

There really is no justice in the world.

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. Big picture in all seriousness

If bush's home goes we are having a very serious urban fire...

If perry's does, the governor's mansion...same story.

I know it is a joke by the way.

[Texasgal]

15. This has been the most horrible thing

to happen in our area in a long time.

I hoep we are able to get through it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. Recovery will take time, and yes MONEY

your governor is a nitwit, but I hope you get the Federal Funds needed.

Oh and yes, you need rain, lots of it.

[Ilsa]

20. Two more people died? Oh no. Terrible. nt