Fire In Area Of Texas Renaissance Festival But Not To Close

[MrHyde]

A fire burned 17 acres near FM 1774 and FM 1488 today but stayed well away from the Texas Renaissance Festival Grounds:

MAGNOLIA, TX (KTRK) -- Firefighters on late Tuesday were still putting out spot fires after a blaze erupted hours earlier and threatened an entire Montgomery County neighborhood.  At the height of the blaze, 28 pieces of equipment, including dozers and a helicopter, were used to battle the flames that erupted just after 1pm along FM 1774.  Texas Forest Service, the U.S. Forest Service, Tomball Fire Department, Rosehill and Cy-Fair fire departments all helped battle the blaze because it was in a heavily wooded area and high winds were spreading it quickly.  At one point, the fire threatened the Magnolia Ridge Subdivision near FM 1488 and one family was evacuated. Many homes in that neighborhood are new or still being built.  The Forest Service quickly dispatched a helicopter capable of making water drops and four bulldozers to the scene. In addition Cy-fair Fire Department brought their bulldozer.  Authorities believe the fire may have started either by a cigarette butt or from sparks off the wheels of a passing train. It was difficult to determine as the fire was on both sides of the track and did run up against FM 1774.  At 9pm, fire crews were still mopping up and putting out spot fires. There were just a few trucks remaining compared to the height f the fire when 28 pieces of fire equipment were on the scene.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8083063

We need all of our Renaissance wizards to do rain spells to protect our beloved faire and festival grounds.

[Glaodian]

This could be tragic.  And I agree, all wizards are needed for rain spells.  All but 2 counties in Texas are affected by fires.

[Merlin the Elder]

We had some serious rain hit us last night from a storm system that came through part of NE Texas, but it came with lightning, hail, high winds, and a handful of tornadoes. I don't think that would help much there.

I hope for a quick end to the fires and respite from the drought.

[MacKee]

Yep, I heard the sirens and saw the helicopter. The fairgrounds are miles away. Magnolia Ridge is before the tracks on 1488. TRF is 5+ miles down 1774.

Just my 2 cents   

[MrHyde]

True - TRF is multiple miles from it but being that the TRF area is protected by a Paid/Volunteer Fire Department and since I was a Volunteer Fire Fighter for 15 years I can tell you that a grass fire can move miles in minutes if the tinder is dry and the wind is high.  Thankfully the Forestry Service acted quickly as well as all the Volunteer Fire Departments in that area.

Wizards we need those rain spells to protect all of our beloved Texas faires and festivals.  Merlin.... I am sure you could conjure something up.

[MacKee]

I agree, we need rain.

Careful which Merlin you have cast the spell...you might end up with O'Doul's falling from the sky


Sorry MtE....I just couldn't resist



OH YEAAAAH, SNAP INTO A SLIM JIM!

[Merlin the Elder]

Careful, MacKee...It's not wise to piss off the Wizard! ... Not if you like those free brews... 

[MacKee]

Nothing is free my wizard friend 

I'm sure it will be my turn to buy the first round next time we meet

[Merlin the Elder]

With all of the tornadoes bouncing about this week, I've not heard much about the fires in Texas lately. Are those now under control or out? I'd be more than happy to send some of our recent water in your direction!

[MrHyde]

Wise Merlin the Elder.....

Some parts of Texas have gotten water from the sky.... probably Scarborough, Four Winds, Sherwood, and Middlefaire have received at least some sky water.  Unfortunately, here in the Houston area, home of the Texas Renaissance Festival, we have not received a spell from you or Queen Bonnie.  The news the other day stated that this was the longest our area has not had rain on record since 1917.

[Merlin the Elder]

I'll tell you what, MrHyde... It appears that Gaia is not allowing us to have full control of the weather. She appears to be somewhat angry about our treatment of her, and I can't say that I blame her. But around my castle here in Maumelleshire, Gaia brought us 11 inches of liquid sunshine during the past 2 fortnights. In fact, we got 3.5 overnight last night, and are expecting another 3.5 today.  If you want some water, you are welcome to some of this.

[Lady Rosaline]

If you guys have extra liquid sunshine up there, we here along the coast sure could use some.

[Merlin the Elder]

Oy! Take my rain....PLEASE!  Normally, I'm the kind of person that loves a nice rain. But it hasn't stopped for very long periods in the past week. We had record rain yesterday (3.5 inches), and have already broken today's record (Currently 3.17 inches), and have significant rainfall moving into the county right now.

[beckgam462]

whoo hooo   merlin

we got rain in central texas twice in 1 week 2 inches , now we are only 9 inches below normal this year

give us some more

[Merlin the Elder]

Our little showers ended up taking us from .68 below normal to 9 inches above normal in 36 hours.  And you can see what effect it had on the Mississippi. It was too much, too quickly, and too concentrated. There was enough for everybody. I feel lucky that we only suffered minimal damage from flooding.