Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Grass Fire on the Prairie


As I was coming back from a trip to the city, I saw a black patch along the road that runs in front of the farm.

Immediately I knew what it was...there had been a small grass fire!

 Grass fires, in the summer months, are always a concern, especially since I live on a windy hill. I'm surrounded by native grass. And given the very dry conditions Texas has experienced for over a year, this year will be no different.

The farm is on the other side of this ridge. As you can see, the hay field to the right of the fence, has been recently cut and baled for hay. It would have not taken much for the fire to jump the fence line and continue up the hill, having a south wind behind it.








A grass fire is to be respected. It can spread very quickly, leaving the land scorched.














Ironically, the same day I photographed the burnt grass, my blogging friend, Elaine, from Pear Tree Log, was also fighting a fire. Take a look at her blog, by clicking on 999 Call. Her experience definitely was more frightening. Fortunately, everyone was safe.

Giveaway!

On the brighter side, I would like to tell you about Emma, at The Log Cabin. She is celebrating 6 months with her blog. She has a wonderful Giveaway you should check out....especially if you appreciate crocheted pillow covers.

While you are there, take a look at her Etsy Store. She offers some beautiful handmade items.

Prairie Coneflower
May has arrived on the Prairie.....

Enjoy today,
Meggie Mac

26 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks....I hope your month is good too!

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  2. Dear Meggie,
    In Turkey grass fire is a very big problem on summer days. Expecially bad people burn the green grass to have more farm area or to grow grain much...
    We must be careful for this and keep saving our nature of course...
    Best sunny and happy days....

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    1. Hello Beck....I'm sure this was an accident, because it was put out so quickly.

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  3. Grass fires must always bee a huge concern for you throught the summer months. Here in England water is causing major concerns.. it's been the wettest April since records began. Our local river burst its banks on Saturday afternoon. Fortunately we live well above the flood plain but my sister's school in the City centre is always badly affected. All the best, Jx

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    1. Hello Jan....It is a problem, but, usually it isn't this dry until July and August. I am keeping up with your weather in the UK. Sometimes we have too much rain. Just not this year. I'm sorry to hear about the school being in a flood plain. Clean up is difficult.

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  4. A grass fire is not very funny. We don't have much of that in Sweden. What a lovely flower and have a nice start of May.

    Hugs
    Elna

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    1. Hello Elna....I hope you May is wonderful, too! The coneflower is just one of many beautiful wildflowers in the state of Texas.

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  5. Grass fires will probably be more of an occurrence this Summer with how dry it's been in the midwest and northeast. I remember them all too often when we lived in California and how so easily they could turn into a raging fire that threatened houses. Something, here in the Pacific Northwest that we tend not to have as much.
    I love the flower and it reminds me when I've traveled to Texas in the Spring and Summer how beautiful the wildflowers are--I especially love the Blue Bonnets:-D XOXO

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    1. Hellow Susan...thanks for your comments today. Just a little side note: The apron is on it's way to the UK.

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  6. Happy May 1st Meggie! It's still raining here at the moment. Two weeks ago we were in a drought and now we have rivers bursting their banks. Crazy weather. Thankfully the prairie fire didn't do any damage but I can imagine how scary they are. Thank you so much for the link and the mention of my shop. Lots of love xxx

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    1. Hello Emma...I am watching your weather and mine, too! I hope you live in a place safe from rising waters. I also hope my post today, brings you added sucess to your Giveaway and Etsy Shop.

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  7. Now that is a scary coincidence. Fire is a terrifying prospect, no matter what the circumstances. The prairie coneflower is lovely - and so well named!

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    1. Hello Elaine....Out of control fire is scary. The coneflower is also known as "Mexican Hat" because of it's shape. The photo was taken at the entrance of the farm.

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  8. I had heard of the coneflower but never knew that it actually had a cone shape. I hope the burned areas recover quickly. It must be so scary to have fire sweeping over the land like that!

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    1. Hello Ms Sparrow....a burned pasture comes back quickly and usually better. Sometimes you hear of "controlled burning" just for that reason.

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  9. I hate to think of this summer here and the fires we will probably have. I understand controlled burning-I know it makes for better pastures, but what makes me furious is when I see someone driving down the road and flipping a still lit cigarette out the window. That's how some of our terrible wildfires got started last year-it doesn't take much when it's so dry. (Oops, sorry, I'll get off my soapbox!) Beautiful coneflower. The wildflowers in some parts of Texas have been wonderful this year.

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    1. Hello Jan....It looks like someone saw what they had done and stopped the fire quickly! Like I said, it doesn't take much for an entire hill to catch fire...

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  10. Lucky we, to live in a place where grass fire doesn't happen (or exceptionnaly).
    But, we don't have a lot of sun neither ! ;-)

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    1. Hello Rachel...we do have more than out share of sun.

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  11. Hi Meggie, I'm glad you and your farm are safe. It looks quite disturbing that blackened patch. I hope you will keep safe the rest of this season. We just celebrated a sunny weekend ourselves. The picture of the flower is superb, so is your banner. Spring is definitely in the air.

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    1. Thanks, Karen. The wildflowers have been beautiful this year.

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  12. I loved your trip to town I don't know how I missed it. I have been so busy!

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    1. Hi there...I know what you mean. Sometimes I miss reading post, too! We all have such busy lives. I'm glad you enjoyed my trip to town. I was looking at your Friday post again. My goodness, you had 35 comments. It was a great post.

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  13. Oh dear! Such a worry... we fear those grass fires, too. They spread so fast - prevention is so important. Do you have a fire break?

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    1. Hello...No, I don't have a fire break. As far as I know, no one around here has one. Do you have fire break?

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