Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss Massive fire near the Conderosa!

We had a fire near my farm that was almost an entire mile section, with flames twenty feet high.



...and multiple lines of fire. Way, WAY out of control. Counted 150 vehicles on the surrounding roads with dozens of fire trucks, sheriff, etc. It went on for an hour and I finally had to leave.

So Bruce did they get it under control? How close did it get to your property? Fires are scary when its heading for your place.

It was a little less than two miles from myu place. Luckily there was very little wind. I had to eventually leave, but I think I'm OK.

Good to hear Bruce. Do they know how it started?

My understanding is that it started out as a "controlled" burn.

That is the main reason I burn 1/3 of my property every year per missouri conservation guidelines. It eliminates excess fuel and keeps the wildflowers flourishing. Plus very few ticks in my forested areas.

Glad it didn't get ya Bruce! I bet that area will look incredible in 3-4 weeks too.

Controlled burns are great for the wildlife when they stay controlled... Now we know why the pick low wind days to do controlled burns!

I badly need to burn off my place. However, I'm not at all sure it would stay "controlled". I'm not real good at that kind of stuff.

Many times if you contact your local FD, they will do it for you for little to no fee...

Dang I hope your place is okay Bruce, keep us posted.

It's a sickening feeling watching fire march toward your home. I've had way too much experience with that in my lifetime.

Me too.I hope everything works out OK.My next door neighbor has almost burned down my house 4 times in the last 5 years with his "controlled" burns.As we speak Im trying to design a fire suppression system with a water pump from the pond for emergencys.

Seems like it would be a lot easier to just shoot your neighbor Tom.

It's legal to shoot at neighbors in Texas isn't it?

Went to a friend's house 1 day, and his neighbor had a "controlled burn" of some winter wheat stubble. Well, the wind came up really high, and it made the most goshawful fire I've seen in my life. 15-20 acres of wheat stubble burned in about 15 minutes. It was burning so violently it made an unearthly humming/vibrating/screeching sound. If there would have been any buildings near that field, they would have simply disappeared.

Bruce:

Hope your place comes out O.K. They aren't using your ponds for water supply, are they? I can just see the helicopter dipping the bucket in the pond and carting off the fish along with the water.

I burned about 20 acres 3 weeks ago. It got a tad bit scarey, but all was well in the end. A neighbor who manages a ton of grass acreage in the area came by to check on things, and he said "every time I burn I wish I'd left that match in my pocket."

Bruce is everything ok - prayers?

I only have 3 words to reply to that...
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DONT TEMPT ME

We are under an almost contiunous burn ban.

I'm fine guys! Thanks for the concern!

awesome pics bruce. as you know we've had our brushes w/ wildland fire around here, its pretty scary. glad the conderosa is OK.

Glad to hear you're O.K. Bruce.

On the way back from Florida today i saw some massive fires down below from 30,000 feet. Not sure where it was but I'm thinking Georgia?

Farmers burn off weeds every year here in my area and some get of control. The volunteer fire department comes out to put them out but at least now they charge these guys to put the fires out. I have no problem with "controlled burns," but for God's sake don't do it on windy days!

There are fires all over the world today! One in Ft. Worth, various spots in North Texas, as well as Southern Oklahoma, Some in Oklahoma City Area, and multiple fires around the Stillwater/Perry area. Over 50 houses, and a coulple high schools have already been claimed by the fires. I also know of 7+ small towns that have been evacuated. Where I live there are no fires but wind gusts of 60+ and fire around in all directions. I find it very interesting that so many started on the same day.

Bruce, gald all is Ok your way.

I went to my place yesterday. When I got there, I smelled smoke so tuned to the local radio statio. Lots of fires going in the 50 mph wind. When I left last night, the closest one had come about 4 miles from my place. A lot of small towns were evacuated. The wind had pretty well died down but is back this morning.

A door had been blown off of an old barn so I will have to go do something about that. No sense in messing with it today since we again have 30 or 40 mph winds.

Dave,I was thinking about you while watching the news this morning.Glad everything is OK.

I wasn't so lucky.... all 257 acres of my place in North Texas, in Jack county burned yesterday. Just got back from checking on the place... My cabin and barn survived without a scratch, but all of the woods / pasture burned.

The good news is that all of the underbrush is now gone.... if my oak trees will come back, it will be a blessing in disguise. If not, it might as well be a total loss.

Here's some pics of the devastation.... I don't know how many acres total have been burned, but it has to be in the thousands. Two out of 5 houses near me are now gone... the other 3, including my two cabins, did not get a scratch. Unbelievable.


The new cabin is in good shape.




A look up the ranch road... power is down and will likely be out for a while..


The old pop-up camper did not have a good day....


My 16 foot trailer for the tractor also did not have a good day...


My hay field.


And last, but not least, my big pond...


I'm still in shock.... not sure what, if anything, can be done.