(09-07-2011, 06:34 PM)My Alter Ego Wrote: Miguel, in dry, windy conditions all it would take is a carelessly tossed cigarette that wasn't fully extinguished.
Good point. Someone on another message board said they saw three people flick cigarettes away from their cars in the course of driving to work in Austin (I rarely see that). In the case of the Steiner Ranch fire, it appeared to start near a roadway. But they think it started from some power lines that were buffeted by high winds.
Nonetheless, in thinking about it and the conditions throughout most of Texas currently, I am surprised firebugs are not more prevalent. I think that's a testament to human culture -- "don't play with fire" -- and how devastating wildfires can be.
"I had taken about 5-10 minutes from the first evacuation order to put a water hose over the top of my family's home and pulled any important documents and photos I needed. This is how fast a fire can trap you. DON'T IGNORE EVAC ORDERS. This video proves why."
