"It's a Monster"

Texas in flames: 64 wildfires in two days, 500 homes destroyed near Austin,evacuations closer to Houston

Photo by Doug Shupe
Photo by Doug Shupe
Photo by Russell L. Minton
Photo by Esteban Rubio
Photo by Krista Jezek
Photo by John Wylie
Photo by Troy Hollan

Texas is on fire and there is little that can be done except to hope and evacuate the areas under siege. State officials report that at least 64 wildfires started on Sunday and Monday, leaving a path of destruction across the drought-striken Lone Star State.

The most property-devastating blaze happened in Bastrop County (about 25 miles east of Austin), where nearly 500 homes have been destroyed and 5,000 people evacuated, with around 400 of those still stuck in emergency shelters. "It's a monster and it's zero percent contained," Jan Amen of the Texas Forest Service told CNN late Monday night of the roaring Bastrop wildfire.

The wildfires in the Austin area have destroyed more than 25,000 acres already, according to KXAN, Austin's NBC affiliate. A fast-moving fire in East Texas killed a young 20-year-old mother and her 18-month-old daughter, engulfing their mobile home before help could arrive.

The fires are starting to have an impact in the greater Houston area as well — with mandatory evacuation orders issued Monday for some residents in Montgomery, Grimes and Waller counties. KTRK Ch. 13 reports that 8,000 people have been forced to evacuated as 1,600 acres have burned. A shelter has been set up at Magnolia High School, about an hour's drive of Houston, past The Woodlands and Conroe, and Red Cross officials are on hand.

State officials report that at least 64 wildfires started on Sunday and Monday, leaving a path of destruction across the drought-striken Lone Star State.

The subdivisions of Lake Holley Hills, River Park Ranch, Ranch Crest, Fox Crest, Remington Trails, Oak Hollow, Clear Creek Forest, Twin Oaks and Lakeside Estates have all been evacuated in Montgomery, Grimes and Waller counties.

The largest fire still burns in Bastrop, fueled by winds from Tropical Storm Lee. Those who live in the Steiner Ranch community, where fires have burned for more than 24 hours and have destroyed 25 homes, are still not being allowed back home.

All of Austin could see smoke on the horizon Monday. It served as constant reminder that as many celebrated the Labor Day holiday, others were running for their lives and losing their most precious possessions.

Gov. Rick Perry skipped a Republican presidential candidate forum in South Carolina to return to the Austin area and see the devastation. "I have seen a number of fires in my life," Perry told reporters in Bastrop. "This one is as mean-looking as I've ever seen."

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

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