My Hometown needs your thoughts and prayers

[Figuremaster Les]

We are having a bad wildfire right next to my hometown...

See here:
www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2007-04-17-ga-wildfire_N.htm?csp=34

I've never seen smoke like this in my life! Like a volcano or something...spreading all over north Florida....
Worried that this could move into my hometown.
And more immediately, worried about my Mom and her breathing problems, and more. This is bad news for a small town like ours.

Send some good thoughts our way would ya guys!
Thanks

[Wild Willy]

Wow! what a great tragedy. Nobody's fault, just nature at it's worst.
Hang in there Les, keep an eye on those News reports and keep us updated.

Look after your folks & yourself.

Will

[casimir]

Wow. Scary stuff indeed. 40 square miles? That's huge!

You be careful, Les! Stay safe!

C.

[Figuremaster Les]

Thanks guys...

Just so you can see why I have been a bit absent of late...(Add to that my Mom got a pacemaker this week...)

FUN FUN FUN!
WILDFIRES ARE SCARY!

Lookie!

All shot by me, just south of my home town...it's only miles away...





Tons of news and sat trucks are everywhere...as are fire and forestry folks...



And this is as close as I could get...roadblock ahead...not a mile from the fires....




No rain expected in our area for another two weeks...

Pray for us! It's not fun seeing this thing grow...

[Wild Willy]

I am surprised this thing is still goin on.
Great shots Les, of a not so great situation. Please keep us updated as you learn more.


Will

[kalel]

man that looks huge you'd almost think they were filming a movie or something with how rediculously large it is

good luck Les and keep yourself and family safe

[retroprops]

Wow Les, I only live a few hours from you and this is the first I’ve heard about it. what’s being done to contain it?

Don’t mess around, if it gets close get out!

[Figuremaster Les]

Thanks! Yeah, it's spooky as hell. Like a big demon eating all our local area woodlands. The Okefenokee Swamp Park, one of the largest inland swamps on Earth is being consumed, although that is not always a bad thing for swamps, but this is so big, that is is scary.
We keep a watch on it. And I stay on the news.
It's national news now. Weather channel mentions it a lot. Even CNN and Fox news. It's the largest wildfire ever in Georgia state history. That big.
As for what's being done to contain it, well, over 700 firefighters from all over the country for one. It's so fast, that one firefighter had to hide under his heavy gear when the fire overtook him, somewhere out in all that, and it literally burned right over and past him. I think he had minor burns, but he lived. This thing is now called, THE MONSTER, and they say it is like the fires in that movie DeNiro did about firemen, Backdraft, about how they seem alive. They say it is not "behaving" like a normal fire.
Go figure.
Anyway, thanks guys.

Keeping a vigil with Mom. Her lungs are not good. So this ain't good for her at all. But, as long as the breezes are from the north, it's like it's not here....
But it is.

I'll keep you guys informed.
Thanks for the thoughts.

[kalel]

hope you get some rain soon Les

if i could i'd send ya some of the rain we got here tonight in west aus it was like a tropical storm tonight

like everyone else said if it gets too close to home just get the hell out of there

give my best wishes to your mum aswell

[batlaw]

Yikes! Thats just scary.
You have my hopes Les... and like everyone is saying, be careful, dont hesitate to flee, and keep us updated.

[casimir]

Oh man... Puts things in perspective. You and and your family are in out thoughts, Les.

You do have all the toys packed and ready to move on a moment's notice, yes? (Just trying to keep things light-hearted.)

C.

[glorbes]

Good lord, Les...that's terrifying.

Those photographs...a wall of smoke...indeed, my thoughts will be with you and your clan. No rain for two weeks? Here's hoping that the bravery those firefighters are employing is making progress against stopping the blaze.

[homunculus]

Hope everything is ok, my thoughts are with you and your family, along with the rest of your town.

The worst we get round these parts is a bit of rain now and then, and snow for about 2 days a year.

Good luck Les!

Chris

[Figuremaster Les]

Thanks guys. Really.
This morning, the winds are blowing from the south, that puts the pall of smoke right on us! We've been breathing it all night, and it SUCKS A$$! Let me tell you! My throat is sore and dry. No amount of water makes it feel like enough.
I don't hink we need to evacuate, but it is tiring not sleeping easy, and stuffing towels in doorframes to be able to get a moments peace.
This sucks! No way you can relax and do work or just enjoy stuff. Watched Spiderman 2.1 last night, and kind of enjoyed that. Plan on seeing the midnight show of Spidey 3 Thursday night. Got my ticket. Hope I can breathe that night! It's something to try to enjoy. But the theatre is closer to the fires. That is not cool.

Lots to deal with. Ma gets her staples out today from her pacemaker surgery. I hate her getting out in this. But, we have to. Anyway, sounds like I am bitching. Don't mean to complain. This is the first day I am starting to just tire of it. It is so taxing.

Hope none of you have this kind of a thing.
Oh well, it is cool seeing the Governor and other bigwigs hanging around town.
FINALLY! Something is happening in this boring little burg!

Til next update! *coughs*
Les

[kalel]

that's no good

hope it clears up soon

i am planning on seeing Spiderman 3 thursday myself