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Across the Fence:  Fire burns 20 acres of our Farm  |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 15 2014 : 08:16:34 AM
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Yesterday I was watching our 20 month old grandaughter. Sometime around 12:40 I noticed smoke coming from the nieghbors trailor area He decided while having 30 to 50 mile an hour winds to burn trash.
My son called and said he was on his way to pick up my grandaughter. Meanwhile I had my oldest son go and check out what all the smoke was before he left for work. Well the fire had gotten out of control and was now racing across our property. We have a total of 63 acres. We have about 20 acres between us and the neighbors trailor they rent. I called 911 and about that time my son and his wife were here to pick up their daughter. I raced up the hill with my son on the quads with shovels.
By this time there were several brush truck following us up the hill. We live on hilly property so it makes it hard to get where you need to go. There were at least 6 counties that responded. It took 2 hours to get it under control. But we stopped it before it got to the barn and our house. Praise God for that!!!Those firefighters and my sons did a heck of a job. There were a few close calls where the wind changed and we were running for our lives. The fire was chasing us across the pastures. It even singed the back of my sons arms. I could feel the flames licking at the back of my legs. I have never ran so fast in my life. When the fireman said run....... he didn't have to ask me twice. Then the wind changed again and back we went trying to make a fire line. I am tired and sore today from using the flapper thing to work on the fire line but thankful that it turned out as well as it did.We all looked like coal miners with black all over us. We have a ton of fence to replace cause it burned all the post.The fire burned about 35 acres of the neighbors place that backs up on our pasture too.
I think I thanked those firefighters about 100 times. When I heard their sirens blaring I felt like the calvery was coming and believe me they did.
I also got to witness my first fire tornado. I had never seen one of those before except on tv.Seeing one in real life is scary. They make this huffing and whistling noise.I hope to never see one again.
Here are a few pictures.
Linda
     
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
Edited by - wooliespinner on Mar 15 2014 08:18:40 AM |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2014 : 08:23:02 AM
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That is scary! I'm glad no one was hurt and your animals and buildings are safe. That neighbor sounds like he hasn't got any sense. Isn't there a law against burning when the winds are that strong and things are dry?
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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Dapple Grey Lady
True Blue Farmgirl
725 Posts
Betty
Goodrich
Texas
USA
725 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2014 : 10:26:58 AM
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Oh, so glad you all were not hurt and your house and barn safe. My hubs was a volunteer fire fighter for years so I know how this affects people. During the drought fires here we had some close calls.Even with burn ans in effect some people do not think it applies to them.
~ Betty ~
Farmgirl Sister # 5589 |
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LadyInRed
True Blue Farmgirl
6740 Posts
PeggyAnn
Vancouver
WA
USA
6740 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2014 : 10:41:06 AM
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oH, mY gOODNESS Linda...my heart was pounding for you as I read your post.
Praise The Good Lord Above that you saw that smoke and responded so quickly.
I have never seen a fire tornado before and hope I never do. I have had a
fire chase me before and it is very scary. It was a Forest Fire and it was
surrounding us...like a horse shoe and we had to escape it. But we got a flat
tire in the middle of the horse shoe and the crazy guy driving stopped and
changed the tire. I would have driven out on the flat myself. CRAZY!
Praise God for you, your sons and the fire fighters. I hope your neighbor is
getting fined for being stupid!
Glad no buildings or lives were lost...acreage will recover itself.
Big Hugs and Blessings,
Peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
"Leave Your Cares Behind...Join Us On The Porch"
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have."
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hudsonsinaf
True Blue Farmgirl
3162 Posts
Shannon
Rozet
Wyoming
USA
3162 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2014 : 1:45:50 PM
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Linda - Praising God it did not end up worse, and everyone is safe! praying that things return to "normal" as much as possible for you guys in the near future. I am so sorry that this happened!!!
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
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queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
985 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2014 : 2:51:13 PM
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Praise God and all His angels! We burn acres of blueberry fields in either the fall or early spring. So I completely know what you had to deal with. It's difficult with a controlled burn, but at least I know where to be and what to expect and we DEFINATELY know better to burn on a windy day. Back in 2006, the Passamoquaddy Indians, who own blueberry fields on a hill above my mother in laws, were burning on a windy day. Their fire got out of control and burnt 1000's of acres between them and a main thorough fare 10 miles away. Had that wind shifted, my husband and mother in law would have lost everything. It's scary. I could see and smell the smoke 25 miles away. It was terrible. No houses or people were hurt.
Take Care
Lorie
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
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TeresaJ25
True Blue Farmgirl
975 Posts
Teresa
Medford
NY
USA
975 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2014 : 5:55:16 PM
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Linda, I'm with Peggy when I say that my heart was racing reading your story. What a horrific experience you went through. It's moments like this when we appreciate the men and women that put their lives at risk everyday to protect us and keep us safe! God bless you and your sons for keeping up with them!
So happy that everyone is safe!
~Teresa
Farmgirl Sister #1348
Little Henhouse on the Island
http://www.SweetLambHeritage.etsy.com
Keep reading. Keep learning. Keep loving. Keep giving. Keep smiling. Keep listening. Keep forgiving. Keep praying |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2014 : 6:02:50 PM
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We lost our Garage Tuesday night. 
Everybody should check and recheck their coverage on there Insurance.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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Dapple Grey Lady
True Blue Farmgirl
725 Posts
Betty
Goodrich
Texas
USA
725 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2014 : 7:26:01 PM
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oh, Diana, my heart goes out to you. So sorry it happened.
~ Betty ~
Farmgirl Sister # 5589 |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4567 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4567 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2014 : 04:23:13 AM
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Wow Linda, glad everything turned out the way it did, and you didn't loose any buildings. On the plus side the fire will do your land some good. Are you considering joining the fire dept? You sure got some experience now!
Diana, sorry to hear of your lose also.
just a girl farming in WI
Michele |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
7550 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
7550 Posts |
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auntsmelly
True Blue Farmgirl
559 Posts
Jenny
Pitman
NJ
USA
559 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2014 : 08:04:53 AM
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Sorry to hear about these fires. Fires are so scary and unpredictable.
I will be praying for you and thanking God that you are all safe.
My elderly neighbors had a pipe freeze a few weeks ago and decided to take a
torch to the pipes to unfreeze them- needless to say- they caught their own
house on fire- Thank God they were ok and the firefighters were able to
catch it quickly, but now their insurance will not pay anything. I feel so bad for them.
I don't think they realized the consequences.
Ignore the rain,
Look for the rainbow.
Jenny,
Blessed Farmgirl #4359
FGOM October 2013 |
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LadyInRed
True Blue Farmgirl
6740 Posts
PeggyAnn
Vancouver
WA
USA
6740 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2014 : 08:32:54 AM
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Diana...do they know what caused the Fire in your Garage?
I think Fire is so scary...because it moves fast and can change direction
in a split second.
Prayers for your loss.
Peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
"Leave Your Cares Behind...Join Us On The Porch"
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have."
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Cozynana
True Blue Farmgirl
1123 Posts
Kem
1123 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 05:46:22 AM
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 08:37:45 AM
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Oh my goodness! LINDA!!! DIANA!!! I'm soooo sorry this happened to both of you, but so, so, sooooo grateful no one was hurt!
Linda - I can't get over the danger you all were in! Like the girls said - heart-pounding! God really has blessed you with wonderful Guardian Angels - including those firemen! SUCH a dangerous job. I have never even heard of a fire tornado! I can't get over you were right in there with them, too. You're amazing! How are your lungs?! Oh my word! All that smoke!!! Are your animals safe? I'm so sorry about the fence, truly - so much work, such great expense. How blessed you are that you didn't lose so much more - especially your lives! Saying extra prayers for you, sister. If there's anything we can do or send, please let us know.
Diana - What a terrible loss... I'm sure this is so devastating for you. Was this your business or your home garage? Is everyone okay? You are so very right about insurance... I pray your policy (ies) are covering your needs! I'll be praying you right through this, sister. Again, if there's anything we can do or send, please let us know.
Love, hugs and prayers -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 09:11:04 AM
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We are all fine. I know the pasture will grow back nicely but the trees will not. Many of the trees burned. We have alot of cedar on our property mixed with hardwoods and cedars burn like green gasoline.The fence post burned because they were cut here from out property and put in by us. So the fencing is the pain in the bum part. When barbed wire is burned by fire it burns the coating off and then it rust very quickly.
Our neighbor has no insurance and is renting.He didn't lift a finger to help put the fire out. He only complained about how long it took the fire dept. to get here......I thought they got here really fast.I didn't talk to him personally but thats what my son said when he was on that side working on a fire line.
So we are on our own as far as the fence goes. I thought about turning it into our insurance but don't want to raise our rates.I thought about confronting him but that would be like getting blood from a turnip. We are just going to handle it ourselves at this point.
Nini I was really sore for a few days and was congested and coughed some but feel pretty good today.We had 2 inches of snow last night and it covered all the black land up. So in a few weeks except for the burnt trees and fence you will hardly be able to tell there was a fire. I am just glad we stopped it before it got to the barns and house. Thats the main thing the rest is not nearly as big of a deal. It just scared the heck out of me for a couple of hours.
Diana I hope the insurance takes care of that for you and no one was hurt. Praying for good results your way for sure.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
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DandeeRose
True Blue Farmgirl
1509 Posts
Alicia
Charlestown, IN
1509 Posts |
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 1:26:43 PM
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Linda, So happy you are safe, but what a shame about the trees. I would not blame you for a good share of anger towards that neighbor. What in the world were they thinking? Burning on a windy day?
Diana, So sorry to hear of your loss. I hope you both can recover quickyly from these events.
Marianne |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 2:21:48 PM
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Hugs! Linda I am SO glad that you and everyone else are ok and safe. Last summer we had a field fire come just too close to my own home. I was terrified and was trying to get all of the animals that I could away from it. You are one brave lady <3
You must do the thing you think you cannot do
-Eleanor Roosevelt
She with the most chickens wins 
Annika
Farmgirl & Sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17476 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17476 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 7:30:11 PM
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Linda & Diane... Oh My Stars! so glad you both are ok... possessions can be replaced,,, lives, not...
Ditto what Marianne said... what is wrong with people? Last week one of our neighbors decided to burn his brush and trash,, m, 20' flames shooting up... but here is the kicker... we currently have a 'No Burn' going on due to the lake of rain and stronger than usual winds!
Again, I am glad you both are ok and safe.
hugz
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - Mar 23 2014 : 5:46:47 PM
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Linda and Diana,
Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way. I am so glad that no one was hurt in either fire. Thank God!
How scary that must have been for both of you.
Hugs,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
View my New Blog:
http://simplesuburbanpleasures.blogspot.com
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.
~Robert Louis Stevenson |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2014 : 4:45:34 PM
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Oh Linda,
My heart goes out to you! How scary that must have been. My dad's ranch was in the county in Texas where the massive wildfires hit a few years back. It missed their house but took so many others. Fires don't take much to spread and consume. I am so glad to hear your barn and thankfully your home were spared, as well as no injuries. Big hugs to you.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Farmgirl of the Month, January 2013
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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Across the Fence: Fire burns 20 acres of our Farm |
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Fire burns 20 acres of our Farm
