Scary morning

[clearcut]

It was scary.

I was heading out to run errands about 10:30. About 1/4 mile from home I saw a large plume of smoke just clearing the trees. I pulled over called 911 and saw that a structure, back in the trees, was fully involved and there were flames under and around the propane tank.

The first responders arrived in about 5 minutes. 

Abandoning my errands, returned home and began to pack photo albums and such into the car. . A spotter plane and helicopter arrived a few minutes later, followed by an air tanker.  A second helicopter arrived shortly after. 

There are 2 small ponds nearby so the helicopters had a quick turn around and dumped a lot of water.

The fire appears to be contained. The helicopters were released a bit after 12:00. I heard on the scanner that one person was transported to the hospital as a precaution.

Crews are still on scene moping up.

It has been 29 days since the last rain. Temperature was about 97°. Winds 1-7 mph, Humidity 32%.

Sorry for the poor cell phone pic. Note the dry grass in the foreground. First responders had just arrived on scene.

[Raider Bill]

Yikes! Looks Dang dry. Glad all is well.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

It may not hurt to put lawn sprinklers around your home. With the type of fuel I see, wetting the area around your house could help out. 

[Chuck White]

No telling how far that fire would have gone if it had hit that old hay field!

Good thing your timing was right on!

[clww]

That picture and the narrative sound plenty scary enough for me.

[thecfarm]

That was lucky that you was running errands. Your place was not the only home saved today.