I posted these photos last night on Facebook, but thought I'd share a little more detail here on the blog. Yesterday, early evening, we had fire in two of our pastures. Local fire and police were on the scene before we even knew there was fire on our property.
After things settled down and it was clear that the fire was under control, I snapped a few photos w/ my phone. This is one of the trucks that was watering down remaining hotspots. You can see the fenceline that separates the two pastures. Our third pasture, where the cows and donkeys were, was not affected.
Here are some of the other local fire responders that assisted; other vehicles were still in the pasture and in front of our house.
The cows and donkeys were on the other side of the farm, thankfully, so the crews were able to cut the fence and work in the pastures without worrying about the livestock.
We are so very grateful that they were able to stop the fire where they did. Had it burned about 30' farther it would have reached our backyard, an area of dense tall grass, and a treeline. It would have been more difficult to manage at that point, considering how dry everything is. The fire got to within about 70' of the chicken house and yard. While the crews worked to put out the fire, Alan and I made sure the chickens could get out of the coop and yard, if needed. I've never been so afraid for our animals.
It seems that this semi truck and trailer had some issues while traveling on the highway, and I imagine that it was sparks from the accident that started the fire which then spread to our pasture.
Alan will use the tractor bucket to improve the firebreak line that we have cut between the pastures and the backyard and building area. We were very lucky that the wind was minimal yesterday... an unusual thing around here.
What a day.
OH my this is one of my biggest fears. Came close a couple of years ago with a huge fire that destroyed numerous houses and killed some livestock... got all the way to our road and fence line. We are surrounded by tree lines and brush. Great for privacy, but not so good when fires are coming. I have never been so scared. We spent the entire day walking horses and animals out of the smoke for our neighbors all while watching our property and how close it was getting. When we arrived home we were covered head to toe with the ashes and smoke. I then so tired from it all sat on the bed and cried. Scared the crap out of me. I thank God you were so lucky and have such great fire fighters there!
Posted by: Michelle Oatman | August 13, 2012 at 05:56 PM
So sorry, Anna. That could have been very bad. I'm thankful that you and Alan and all of your animals are okay. Did it burn up a lot of feed?
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | August 12, 2012 at 06:34 PM
wow, that was a close one ! Glad all were ok. The ground here is soooo dry a cigarette butt would start a blaze in minutes. Gotta love those firefighters !
Posted by: todd forhetz | August 09, 2012 at 02:43 PM
So glad all okay--hope y'all got some rest after that adrenaline rush!
Posted by: renee m | August 09, 2012 at 11:18 AM
Phew, what a scare! So thankful that you guys and your animals are all ok Anna ;)
Hugs, Rx
Posted by: Ruth S | August 09, 2012 at 09:48 AM
OMG, that is scary indeed! So sorry you had to deal with this; but very happy the fire dept. was on the ready, and doing a great job! Whew, glad the animals are safe, and that it wasn't in THEIR pasture. Lucky thing. I hope all the hot spots are really out...I'm sure Alan is on top of things, making sure it's safe. Big hugs to you, I know that had to be VERY frightening. It's hard to protect all the critters from a fire...they spread so quickly, and are so devastating. I'm SOOOOO HAPPY that everyone is safe. Relief! :)
Posted by: diane mcvey | August 09, 2012 at 08:37 AM
I am so grateful that all are okay, and give highest praise to God for keeping the winds in check, and for giving strength and fortitude to the firefighters!
Fondly,
Ellen - CardMonkey
Posted by: Ellen -CardMonkey | August 09, 2012 at 07:13 AM
I guess his trailer was a lil overloaded huh,wow
glad everyone is safe!
Posted by: kimmy | August 09, 2012 at 03:47 AM
How scary! I'm so glad the fire crew responded so quickly and you and your animals are all safe.
Posted by: Michelle W | August 08, 2012 at 06:03 PM
Oh,my. Glad you and all your animals are okay.
Posted by: Val | August 08, 2012 at 05:18 PM
Wowza! So thankful everyone, critters included are safe and sound! Thank goodness for their quick response time to your farm! Stay safe my friend!
Posted by: Sherri D. | August 08, 2012 at 05:17 PM
You are fully insured, right? It could start up again and you could be burned out......... just saying......get all the good stuff in a trailer just in case...Love, Dad.... It never hurts to be safe.
Posted by: Dan Wight | August 08, 2012 at 05:09 PM
Oh my gosh! How frightening! Thank the dear Lord you and the critters are all ok. WOW!
Posted by: Jennifer Woodward | August 08, 2012 at 04:26 PM
Oh thank God everyone and everything is okay, Anna!!!! Fire departments are the best :)!!
Posted by: Kelly Schirmer | August 08, 2012 at 03:53 PM
so very grateful that there was no loss of life! how terrifying! the whole midwest is a tinderbox.
Posted by: Shala C. | August 08, 2012 at 03:21 PM
Oh Anna! How horrible, how scary!! I'm so thankful that you are safe. It does take a community to take care of each other - thank goodness for the fire fighters! I can just imagine the poor chickens flying around trying to figure out where to go . . . if it had come to that. So thankful . . .
Posted by: Sharli | August 08, 2012 at 02:32 PM
Never a dull moment down on the farm, huh? Certainly glad to hear all is well and the humans and critters are all OK.
Posted by: Nancy | August 08, 2012 at 01:56 PM
WOW -- what a blessing no people, animals or buildings were hurt or damaged. Fire is so very scarey! Take care.
Posted by: Sharon Johnson | August 08, 2012 at 01:00 PM
It takes one second and one spark and nature has its way with you. So glad everything turned out okay for all of you.
We had some wild lightning and thunder here last night. Very unusual for the coast.
Posted by: NormaJ | August 08, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Thank goodness everyone is okay. So scary with the dry, hot weather right now. Glad the firefighters were so quick. Big Hugs to all.
Posted by: Troy Louise | August 08, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Glad everything worked out so well. Stay safe.
Posted by: cindy | August 08, 2012 at 11:46 AM
So sorry to hear of the fires. It only takes one little spark to change your life forever. Glad that humans and animals were unscathed.
Posted by: Melody B | August 08, 2012 at 11:42 AM
YEAH for the firemen :) It looks like they did a good job getting it under control quickly. I am thrilled all are o.k. there on the farm. *whew* Nothing freaks me out like the smell of a fire ( gets my heart pounding if I wake to it in the middle of the night.) Must have something to do with having HAD a house fire. :( big hugs to all.
Posted by: Carol Dee | August 08, 2012 at 11:25 AM
So glad to hear that you, Alan and the critters are all ok!
Posted by: Beth M | August 08, 2012 at 10:58 AM
This is the second farm fire I've read about today. Glad the house and animals are all safe!
Posted by: Heather | August 08, 2012 at 10:45 AM
What a scare you both went through! You must have been trembling with fear. I am so relieved that neither your animals, nor you and your Alan were hurt. Your planets must have been properly aligned so the wind was minimal. Those are incredible photos.
Posted by: Gabriela Divine | August 08, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Very scary!! I was dreading reading this post in case there were any casualties - so thankful everyone is ok!!!
Posted by: Jennifer | August 08, 2012 at 10:09 AM