Our lease is in Palo Pinto County. Apparently a welder was working on a fence yesterday and started a fire. As of tonight over 3000 acres have burned, it is only 22% contained, and it has jumped the Brazos. The fire fighters have done a controlled burn around our camp area (4 cabins) but it sounds like we are going to lose everything - side-by-sides, cabins, hunting clothes, diesel generator, new redneck blinds we had been saving up for and finally got….everything. Not to mention the incredible damage to the landowner’s property. We’ve been out there for about 8 years and absolutely love the place. We are in shock and it’s super depressing to know that everything we spent years accumulating will be gone.

That’s awful beyond measure! So sorry to hear it.

Closest town?

Its pretty bad, the smoke is blowing over my house on and off all day dropping ashes, were 40 miles North of it. I hope you don't lose anything, its a bad situation.

Hate to hear this. Hope y’all get some good news and have some items spared

A fire wiped us out in sterling county years back and we lost it all. Fire sucks

That's got to be terrible, hopefully no one is hurt, that is by far the most important thing. Best of luck to all of y'all !

Very sorry to hear this. I have experienced it, albeit on a smaller scale. I do know the VFD guys and gals give it their absolute all.

Sorry to hear about your and friends losses. I hope it will turn out.

My boys were going to stay at Mimi’s house out by Graford tonight. Mimi and the boys are staying at my place now. The smoke smell is strong between Graham and Bryson.

Sorry to hear this and hope that the fire is controlled before it gets to your possessions! In these drought times it seems like someone didn't watch what they were doing and it got away from them.

That’s terrible, I hope everyone says safe

That really sucks. In these burn bans, welders have to take extra precautions and sounds like they failed to do so.

Sorry to hear that. These fires spread very fast. Someone tossed out a cig the other day, I was at a stop sign. Saw the tiniest little curl of smoke the size of a dime so I parked and went to stomp it out. Within seconds it was beyond my control and burning up the field, FD had to be called.
A spark from a welder could get away while he has his hood on and never know it was happening.

Same thing happened with a welder on a place I used to hunt on around here back during the last big drought. Worst thing lost were the last couple covies of wild quail in the area.

Sorry to hear this. A wild fire has been my biggest concern for my place. Glad to hear you’re all safe.

6500 acres now and still burning.

Good lord this is crazy, no rain in sight either

Terrible situation. Hopefully they'll get it contained and you guys get some rain that's forecasted the next couple days.

You have my utmost sympathy in dealing with this. We had much the same thing happen to us about 5 years ago at our mule deer camp. Lightning wound up burning up two camping trailers, a side by side Polaris Ranger, and a Honda 650 ATV. Burned 'em all to the ground. Good luck to you and your buds.

A concern for me too.

Prayers up

I would guess any stands on towers could be ok and feeders ok if ground around them beat down. Good luck.

Any updates counselor?

The latest I’ve heard today from the VFD guys is that it is beyond their control and they are hoping the wind will shift back in the direction of the already burned areas. They won’t let us back to our camp (for obvious reasons) so we won’t really know until it is safe. The firefighters went to our camp, moved some of the ATVs and did some controlled burning in an effort to save everything. These guys don’t get enough credit. They’re absolute studs who roll into a fire filled hellscape in an attempt to save property and lives of people they don’t know. We’re trying to gather some meals, supplies, etc to take to them. I actually feel guilty for being worried about our hunting belongings now that people are being evacuated from their homes. It’s just sad all around for everyone involved. Praying that nobody gets hurt at this point.

I sure hope that fire doesn’t get to your lease. Thank goodness the firefighters could take some positive action. Those guys must be fearless.