WILD FIRE!

This is the entrance to our property. At this time last Spring, it was beautiful with thick green grass and lots of colorful wildflowers blooming. We have not had a rain yet this Spring. Last week this area was covered in dry grass. Now it is sand and burned mesquites. There was a fence on each side of the cattle gaurd but all the posts were burned. Luckily our house is still there.

Last Thursday I went to Midland with Nana and Bub. On the way home we drove through a fire that was burning on I-20. As we got closer to my house we realized there was another fire burning in the west. It seemed pretty far off. I unloaded my groceries and went out to look. I climbed up and could see lots of smoke off in the distance. It was very windy so I called Todd. I told him there was a fire and I would call him back if I thought it would get close to the house. I hung up and walked to the back window and was horrified to already see flames in the pasture behind our house! I called Todd back and screamed, "COME HOME NOW!" Blaine and I hooked hoses together and put sprinklers at the edge of the pasture. What happened next is kind of a blur.
I moved my dad's Mule to the front of the house. Melvin Craft was just pulling in so I knew the volunteer fire department was probably on its way. Blaine was crying and I knew I needed to get him to safety so we hopped in the car and drove up to the highway. When we turned to look at the house there was a huge wall of flames and tons of smoke behind it. I didn't think there was any way it could be saved. I realized that I hadn't gotten anything out of the house so I left Blaine with a nice lady on the highway and raced back to the house. I ran inside and began to grab a few things. I got my laptop, several albums and stacks of pictures, our big binder of adoption documents, and our passports. By this time I was beginning to feel panic. Larry, my father in law, ran in and said I needed to get out and asked what else I wanted to take. I grabbed one last framed picture of the 3 of us off the desk and left.
By this time flames were already on both sides of our road as I headed back to the highway. Poor Blaine was so scared and upset. It was incredibly chaotic. Firetrucks were pulling in, firemen were yelling, smoke was everywhere. Soon we couldn't see or breathe and we could feel the heat from the fire that was jumping the highway just to the north of us so we moved down to Larry and Polly Sue's gate. I stood on top of my vehicle and tried to see my house. There was nothing but smoke and flames. The wind was 55 mph. I was so scared for all the firefighters who were now surrounded by fire. I also knew Todd must be there somewhere. I have done lots of praying but I know that I have never prayed so intensely or been so scared in all my life.
Several water trucks were already pulling in as the fire was working it's way to Todd's parent's house.
I desperately wanted to find Todd and thought maybe I could get something out of the house for Polly Sue (who was stuck up the highway at a road block). I left Blaine again with the same sweet lady and ran up the road to the house. It was locked. I looked out toward the corrals and was so relieved to see Todd! He had driven the mule over from our house. He didn't have his keys and mine were in my vehicle on the highway so he told me to take the mule and get my keys to his parent's house and then come back and get some things out for them. I loaded the dogs onto the mule and as I headed back up the road the wind shifted and the air was filled with black smoke. By the time I got back to Blaine who was now sitting in an ambulance because they moved my car further down the highway, we couldn't see a thing. Blaine was screaming, "Let's get out of here Mama! Take me to Nana's house!" I knew there was no way I could leave him again and I couldn't even see Larry and Polly Sue's house anymore. I was terrified that I had taken Todd's ride and that he might pass up a ride with someone else thinking the Mule was still there. Again, some serious praying was going on.
At this point I didn't know if my house was still there and I was pretty sure Larry and Polly Sue's wouldn't make it because they have lots of dry cane behind it that would burn in a minute. I remember seeing a firefighter in the back of the ambulance getting some oxygen. I was feeling panicky on the inside but stayed calm for Blaine on the outside. I told him over and over that we were ok and that's all that mattered. We prayed for Daddy and Papa and all the firefighters and then I decided it was time to get away because Blaine was scared, the dogs were going crazy, and it was just a horrible sight to watch. We drove down several miles to Nana and Bub's house where their phone and my cell phone were ringing like crazy. I was pacing and we kept going out and climbing up on the fence to see the fire. We finally got word that both houses had been saved!! We also heard that Polly Sue had talked to Larry and Todd and they were ok. They had gotten the sprayer truck and were out helping with the fire. I was so relieved!
I have to say that we have an awesome Volunteer Fire Department! I've seen them in action before fighting grassfires, sometimes even on our ranch. But watching them rush into an extremely dangerous situation determined to save our home definitely gives me a whole new appreciation for them. Without them, I would definitely be without a home tonight. This is not their job. They are all volunteers. They do it because they care! We are grateful beyond words.
This fire has caused a lot of work for a lot of people. Several ranches were affected. Miles of fence must be rebuilt. Electric lines and telephone poles were burned to the ground. We have a good bit of soot and smoke damage to clean up in the house as do Todd's parents.
So many people have been so good to us! People have brought food, helped rebuild our fences on the highway, offered materials, and given lots of hugs. We appreciate the prayers Thursday night and since so very much. We know God was watching out for us, our homes, and all those involved. As far as we know there were not any serious injuries. We have a big mess at home but realize we are so blessed to have a home to clean! I'll post more pictures later.