Quite a few studies on this. People will help their friends, neighbors, and local communities. Once you get beyond that, it becomes more questionable. Some people will go to great lengths to help others, some will do a thing or two, and many will not do anything because it's now an abstract thing to them. All groups have a tendency to either not support (vote for, pay taxes for) or not value relief actions at the societal level that are not touching them personally.
Houston wastes 30B gallons of water https://www.click2houston.com/news/...ston-water-wasted-from-leaks-across-the-city/ Assholes. All yall
It is still Fuzzy on exactly who approved the Prescribed Burn, but The Texas A&M Forest Service still remains in the conversation 2,300-acre Sam Houston National Forest wildfire ignited by prescribed burn, officials say Prescribed burns are regularly conducted by fire specialists in Texas forests in an effort to clear ground-level foliage and maintain healthy landscapes. The burns are a cost-effective way to reduce fuel loading in the event of a large-scale wildfire. A widespread wildfire north of Houston, that officials say was ignited by a prescribed burn in the area, was 45 percent contained by Friday morning. Montgomery County Fire Marshals Office crews observed no fire activity outside of the containment lines overnight, and weather conditions appear to be favorable on Friday to totally contain the blaze, Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough said. The Pauline Road fire first ignited Wednesday evening in the Sam Houston National Forest on the southwestern corner of San Jacinto County and prompted evacuations of more than 900 homes in the fire’s path. Strong winds and low humidity exacerbated the flames on Thursday, when air tankers, dozers and around 140 firefighters worked through the night to contain the burn. “They’ve got this thing batted down as long as the weather cooperates,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Greg said during a press conference Thursday afternoon. The fire burned more than 2,300 acres in the area, according to Texas A&M Forest Service fire maps. At least one home has been destroyed in the flames. A preliminary investigation into the fire conducted by the forest service determined that it may have been caused by a prescribed burn. “We’re not gonna release any information as far as to the names to the folks involved in that,” he said. “I will say there’s an investigation surrounding the circumstances of that prescribed burn. Any potential criminal charges that come out of the investigation will be referred to the San Jacinto County District Attorney’s Office. Prescribed burns are regularly conducted by fire specialists in Texas forests in an effort to clear ground-level foliage and maintain healthy landscapes. The burns are a cost-effective way to reduce fuel loading in the event of a large-scale wildfire. The Texas A&M Forest Service supports prescribed fires by training individuals. The forest service may notify nearby landowners if a controlled burn is being conducted. Property owners living on national forest land may conduct burns on their property but must obtain required permits from local or state authorities if the burn is near or on the edge of the land. If a property owner allows a fire to escape onto forest land, the landowner may be billed for suppression and restoration costs and damages, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
I got one too! Why should I want my insurance dollars going to North Texas every time it hails or tornados?
The world is full of complainers. But the fact is, nothing comes with a guarantee. I don't care if you're the Pope of Rome, President of the United States, or even Man of the Year—something can always go wrong. And go ahead, complain, tell your problems to your neighbor, ask for help—watch him fly. Now in Russia, they got it mapped out so that everyone pulls for everyone else—that's the theory, anyway. But what I know about is Texas...And down here... you're on your own. -- Coen Brothers, "Blood Simple"
Interesting quote. I had to answer a question on an application about why I wanted to enter the leadership program at work and gave the "leadership is a service to others" line. Which I absolutely believe and try to live but seeing that quote and seeing who it is that seems to progress or make it to the top? I wonder what life would be like if I was just cutthroat about it. I got my promotion and 9% raise this year because I earned it, but if I just threw my coworkers under the bus? Or beat my chest about the things I accomplish and note that I did it without help? Idk that I could live that lie and be good with myself. Some folks are just really sociopaths like that.
Why prescribed burn wasn't stopped before it sparked Pauline Road Fire, which is now 95% contained SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- The Pauline Road Fire in San Jacinto and Montgomery counties is now almost entirely contained. Officials confirm the more than 2,000-acre fire started from a prescribed burn on a private property in San Jacinto County. Some people across the community have asked why the prescribed burn was able to be conducted with the strong winds in the forecast. Agencies aren't saying much as they cite the ongoing fire investigation. At this point, it's unclear if anyone could face any kind of consequence in light of last week's fire. One thing for sure many people are wondering is why the prescribed burn was allowed when the wind was so strong. "You trust most people have common sense not to burn in those winds," San Jacinto County Judge Fritz Faulkner said. "But things happen. Wind changes, things get away, I suppose." In a one-on-one interview with ABC13, Faulkner at the heels of a wildfire that started on someone's private property says the county isn't in a burn ban and decided against one Monday morning because of the overnight rain. "The wind is not blowing like it was last week," Faulkner said. The judge and officials at the Texas A&M Forest Service would not go into detail on the specifics of last week's situation or what went wrong continuously, citing the ongoing fire investigation. "When you're conducting a prescribed burn, especially if that person is certified and insured, that we are talking about of low-intensity fire put on the ground intentionally to meet forest management and ecological objectives," Forest Service spokesperson Matthew Ford said. Last week's fire was a prescribed burn on private property. What's unclear is if any agency can pull the plug on a scheduled burn if the weather conditions aren't good. "They don't have to check in with us. I visited with my fire marshal this morning about that, and they said well, they check in with the forest service and they basically monitor and keep up where these things are going," Faulkner said. Forest service representatives said the same. "We can only recommend and advise that they adhere to any plan based on what we're seeing. But in reality --- we're just a notification, and that goes to certified and insured prescribed burn managers," Ford said. Faulkner tells ABC13 he'd have to do research on this to find out if there's a way to pass more stringent rules on these kinds of burns. ABC13 has submitted a public records request for more details on this fire.
The Texas A&M Forestry Service has facilities within reasonable driving distance of the Fire, so sending somebody to somewhat monitor the planned Burn wouldn't have been difficult to do. Locations Listing Conroe Huntsville Livingston Cleveland
I posted this in the climate thread also. It's a map showing wildland fire danger predictions for July. The Texas drought is showing up in all the red across the state. Be safe and evacuate if you get a notice.
