It's not often that Austin and central Texas make the international news.
Last time...an angry, crazed pilot crashed his small plane into a building housing the government's tax agency, the IRS.
But our ongoing severe drought...no significant rain since last October...but a record setting...80 days...of 100F/39C heat...is starting to reap what nature has sown...from parched soil and dying trees.
Burning homes. Plenty of them.
At least 35,000 acres/14,100 hectares and 1,300 homes consumed so far...in the distant suburbs of Bastrop county...and only 30% contained.
The fire is still roaring thru the area famous for its pine trees. It measures 24 miles/39km long...and 20 miles wide.
Two are now reported dead.
At least 5,000 people still evacuated.
There are smoke warnings on all our major highways.
