Still blazing

[Talyn]

The area was dry and minimal green vegetation (excluding evergreens) and very short. In the next few days while I'm out collecting info on damages I'll take some pics of the area and post. I'm waiting for a clear and mostly sunny day to get good pics. People (not sure who) on facebook (I'm not on that social media) have posted some pics of the area.

I was just wondering based on the TV coverage I've seen, and passing through the TX Panhandle along time ago which seemed to be mostly ag lands.

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

I was just wondering based on the TV coverage I've seen, and passing through the TX Panhandle along time ago which seemed to be mostly ag lands.

In Hemphill County there isn't much irrigated land unlike surrounding counties (thank goodness). Many counties are going dry because of the lack of resupply from the aquafer. Rivers, streams and dammed areas are dry or near dry. Part of the issue is population growth as Lake Meridith (recreation lake) supplied Amarillo and used to be over 100' deep back in the mid 80's. With that lake (not sure when it started) suppling Lubbock (much larger town) has caused the decrease in depth. Lubbock has a lake of their own for supply, but unsure on the current depth? Back in '71 when my dad 1st drilled 2 wells (320 and 360') the static level was 160-180' which could supply 800gpm per well. About 10 years ago when the pumps were replaced the static level was checked again...................levels were within 5-10' of original levels. Between water management and low irrigated crops in the county (not 100% true) has helped stay high. We are closest to the river than the others are which in turn keeps us in a better position for most/best water supply.

 

[Talyn]

Yea some of the pics I've seen show tree's shelterbelts & rolling terrain.

Hopefully, the Power company & local authorities will come up with some post-fire plans to be better prepared for similar conditions to prevent what's happened.

Some farmers up here burn their fields after harvest to kill pathogens then plant a cover crop (winter wheat/spring pulse crops) that partially comes up before winter for soil preservation, and to have a harvest early in the spring/summer growing season.

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

Yea some of the pics I've seen show tree's shelterbelts & rolling terrain.

Hopefully, the Power company & local authorities will come up with some post-fire plans to be better prepared for similar conditions to prevent what's happened.

Some farmers up here burn their fields after harvest to kill pathogens then plant a cover crop (winter wheat/spring pulse crops) that partially comes up before winter for soil preservation, and to have a harvest early in the spring/summer growing season.

We used to do that and others around us (counties), but rarely done here anymore. With low rain chances and low yearly perception had stopped most from doing it. Fear (for good reason) of causing others from having losses is mostly why.