God, we NEED rain.

Had a pretty good fire south of Abilene yesterday and today. The fire bombers were working hard and flying near the house. Saw a converted C-130, Blackhawk, BaE-146, and heard the 737 was supposed to be headed here later in the week.

But the coolest of them all are the Air Tractors on floats and not just because they are Olney, Texas built. I wish I had been able to get on with them back in my flying days:

We've already had 3 or 4 fires close to us in the last week, close enough to smell smoke. Apparently a lot of idiots think the burn ban doesn't apply to them.
Our road is a major cut through from a FM to sh105, fire engines have been coming through here all week like crazy.

I had 4 of those fly over my house 2 days ago headed due south. I never saw one flying before and thought they were helicopters until I got my binoculars out. Friend of mine was on Palo Pinto lake last year and one came down about 100 yards from him and got water. Scared the crap out of him.