kenny thomas
Well-known member
Lots of fires in Northern TX, panhandle of Oklahoma, and up into Kansas. It looks bad.
Fires
- Thread starter kenny thomas
- Start date
It was really bad in southwestern KS, and we could smell the smoke from there and OK. We had to evacuate last year, and I wasn't looking forward to it again but fortunately didn't get too close.
Are these on government lands that have not been grazed and allowed to grow up? Just wondering.
They evacuated part of Woodward yesterday evening due to a fire. As far as I know they got it under control and no houses in the were lost.
We're set up for a bad season for fires if it doesn't rain a good amount soon.
We're set up for a bad season for fires if it doesn't rain a good amount soon.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Im pretty sure its private grazing and wheat land.
Mark Reynolds
Well-known member
The worst 'set up' for a 'bad fire season' is when you have a highly productive growing season (a lot/good bit) of moisture/rain with highly favorable grazing conditions followed by an early, severe and prolonged drought. Excess fine fuels in conjunction with tinder dry moisture conditions.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Did any of these get close to you?
Mark Reynolds
Well-known member
Determination of if a fire is good or bad depends on what the objectives are/were, what the outcome is/was, and the management before the actual fire. Many of our ecosystems, and actually grazing operations, are dependent on fire for long term health. Conversely, fire that is too frequent, or occurs where/when it shouldn't, can be/is extremely destructive, both economically and ecologically.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
The fires like are happening now in that area are never good. I was on a fire in that area a few years ago that burned around 250,000 acres. It burned everything in its path, houses, barns, fences, cattle, wildlife. The only thing that didn't burn was the short green wheat. The fire was so hot there wasn't even many ashes left. Burned down to bare dirt. The fire jumped across the Canadian river like it was a walk path. A few members here live in the area that burned then.
Yes in a normal year a small slow burn might help clear the brush but not then or now.
Yes in a normal year a small slow burn might help clear the brush but not then or now.
Its bad this year when Im driving around. The freeze a couple weeks ago didnt help. It wont take much to start a fire.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Surprisingly your area is a lot like the area having the big fires. Your temps are higher making it possibly worse. Hopefully you get a little higher humidity from the Gulf breeze.
Dave
Well-known member
The worse fires are the one where the feds show up and take over management of the fire. Especially when the person now in charge has zero knowledge of the area and how fire in the area behave.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
I 100% agree. No fed land i dont think in that area and I hope nobody asks them to come.
Dave
Well-known member
During our big fire in 2024 the feds would meet every morning until 10:00 to plan their attack for the day. Flames which were 2 feet all at 6:00 AM would 10 feet tall by 10:00. My neighbor had been up in Rye Valley first thing in the morning. He stopped at the morning meeting. They had all these maps out. They said the fire is here so we are putting out lines here. Neighbor stood up and said the fire is well beyond there. They paused and then carried on. The crews were sent out. Neighbor stayed, walked and pointed out where the fire had reached. He was told that he didn't know what he was talking about. They claimed they had the latest technology. He once again pointed to the map and said I was just there 30 minutes ago. And I have ridden every inch of that ground. Have you ever been there before? They had no response. And just a couple days later the moved their headquarters a long ways away.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Many times what you just described is what makes the fires get so big.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Im guessing that there will be a need for hay very soon for that area. If any fencing is left the cows will be put up and fed until new fence is up. I can donate some but the trucking from here would not work out.
No, Woodward is twenty miles NW of me where we live at now, all the big ones have been west and NW of here with Woodward being the closest.
I seen smoke going up NW of here when I left about three o'clock to go out to the old place to feed cows. I seen smoke SW of me out there getting hay somewhere east of the 270/51 junction where the fire jumped the highway and made it's last big run when you was here. It didn't last long before they had it knocked down.
We don't have a good chance of rain in the forecast.
Living this right now.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
If one starts do you have some wheat fields you can put the cows in until it passes? Thats the only thing I seen that didn't burn in 2017.
I just checked on another CT member thats west of you a few miles and they are ok.
Not enough grass to carry much fire where they are and not any fence on the field to hold them on the field. Hopefully I could get them out if I had to or across the road. River bottom below where they are.
There were some notill wheat fields that burnt in the Rhea fire.
