Last night, on the way to dinner, we noticed intense and dark clouds on the horizon along the freeway. We knew it was Saharan dust as we sometimes get in the spring. We thought it was West Texas dust, but we were wrong.
From nearly 100 miles (161 km) away from Austin, smoke from the Crabapple fire is currently burning in Gillespie County. The fire has burned 8,640 acres of land and is only 40% contained as of March 16. The fire is spreading because of strong winds gusting up to 45 mph (72 km/h), dry grass, and hardly any rain in recent days. Luckily, no fatalities or homes have been affected so far.
As I was a passenger in the car, I was able to capture these shots with my Samsung S23 phone. That is the story behind the shots. If you liked these photos, you might also be interested in other posts featuring Austin, Cellpic Sunday, Landscapes, Texas, and WeekendSky. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
For John’s Cellpic Sunday and Hammad Rais’ Weekend Sky #145.
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Anne Sandler
Although terrible, fires do offer photographers a great opportunity. I understand how a fire can spread. I hope they get this one out quickly.
Egidio Leitao
We hope, too. Unfortunately, strong winds will continue the next couple of days.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Well captured Egídio, I hope the wind quietens down and they’ll be able to control the fire 🙏
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Xenia. We are keeping our fingers crossed.
restlessjo
What a scary sight when you realise what’s happening. Hope it’s under control soon xx
Egidio Leitao
That is precisely the case, Jo. It’s pretty scary. We hope the fire will be controlled soon without any casualties. Thanks for writing.
Leanne Cole
It is amazing how far smoke can drift. We have had mornings where we step outside and all you can smell is smoke, but the fire is a few hundred kilometres away. It does make for great photos.
Egidio Leitao
It’s sad about the fires, but I agree about the photo ops. Sunsets get more dramatic with smoke and sand in the air.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Mi dispiace molto per l’incendio…
Egidio Leitao
Anch’io.
photobyjohnbo
We aren’t very close to the wild fires in southern Canada, but North Dakota is no stranger to the smoke and haze that drifts across the plains when there are fires up north. Our state occasionally has prairie fires, but they are often contained rather quickly. I suspect it’s the farmsteads with their square mile spacing and many fallow fields in alternating years.
Egidio Leitao
It’s sad that fires destroy so much land and property.
Hammad Rais
I just hope the fire is contained quickly and without any further damages.
Thank you for sharing this with my challenge.
Egidio Leitao
You’re welcome. This morning, the fire is 65% contained. Hopefully, the winds will die down some. Thanks.