This is one time I'm thankful I don't live in the country. My roommate's brother and his wife lost their house in the Bastrop fire; it was in a beautiful forest of tall pines. Fortunately one of them was home at the time of the evac notice, and was able to get their pets and a carload of belongings out before fleeing. Many others in this fire were not so fortunate. Also, they had gotten higher insurance coverage about a month ago specifically because the fire danger was so high.
Two friends and their 8-month-old daughter have evacuated from their home near the Spicewood fire, and based on a map of fire boundaries, their house may be gone. Another family who are friends of mine left their home last night southwest of Bastrop, when an isolated but still uncontained fire broke out within a couple of miles of them.
Best fire images I've found so far: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/09/more-texas-wildfires/100141/
For a relatively minor thing on the plus side, for the first time in at least 3 months, the temperatures are forecast to not rise above 90. Last night it was actually cooler outside than inside, so I opened up the house. The A/C has not run at all since 9 last night. Maybe I will get outside and plant something. It's about time to start the fall garden. Beyond a handful of tiny bell peppers and tomatoes, and a bunch of basil, I've not gotten much out of it this summer.
