The Central Texas wildfire tragedy has directly impacted a number of ACC faculty, staff, and students. The college and its employee associations are responding to those in need as well as facilitating donations and support from the many people who want to help. (Click here for information on how to donate or lend a hand; to apply for federal aid, visit disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362. More information for victims is available from the American Red Cross of Central Texas.)
Daniel Ohanlon with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability is among the many members of the ACC community volunteering his time to bring relief to the devastated areas. He is a coordinator of Institutional Planning and Assessment by day and a bar owner by night – but he is also a former FEMA employee, a member of the Travis County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and part of the emergency team for HBC. This week, Ohanlon has lent his expertise to rescue efforts in Bastrop County. He shares his perspective below.
How did you learn about the fire?
I recall very vividly that I was doing what I usually do on Sunday afternoons, grilling and barbecuing at my bar downtown. I remember hearing the fire truck sirens go off, which is not out of the norm, but then I heard more and more and more. It didn’t stop. I soon heard it was two wildfires in Steiner Ranch and Bastrop. By the evening, I was having long conversations with folks about the severity of the fire.
What are you doing to assist with fire rescues?
I have a large truck and offered to haul whatever needed to be hauled. Right now, I am working with some friends and supporting the large-animal recovery and rescue in Bastrop County. One day, I picked up a horse trailer to rescue about 50 horses. We rushed out there but never made it; the fire beat us. All the horses were set free to pasture (they survived), but I was told the barn and ranch were lost.
Photo by Jimmy Nielsen Watts of Bastrop. The image depicts his father, Tommy Watts, taking horses to safety.
How did other rescues go?
The next day we went back in, convoy-style, to help load and handle horses, donkeys, mules, and cattle. We even got a turkey. The animals must have been terrified because they wanted nothing to do with us humans. We loaded them two by two and sometime three by three, just loading all we could. The truck I was in had two very frightened and wild horses—2 mares, both pregnant, and one old horse with arthritis.
While we were driving into the hot zone, as it’s called, we could hear nothing. There was no sound of any kind except the drone of all the trucks pulling the empty trailers. We drove past what used to be one of the most vividly green and wonderful sites, and the pines were gone. There was smoke everywhere and smoldering woods. It was sad and eerie.
How did you get involved?
I originally volunteered my truck via Facebook, on a page with information about large animals affected by the Bastrop County fire (click here). Then I received calls from a friend who works at the polo club and another who is a horse trainer. They asked me to join the rescue.
What were the high points?
It reminded me of living in New York City on 9/11. Everyone there was pitching in to help – lots of people doing whatever they could. It’s the same thing here. There was a ranch in Lampasas with 3,000 acres accepting any and all animals. The Expo Center in Victoria opened its stalls to take in horses. And hay is coming in from as far away as Montana.
Another high point— knowing two of the mares we took from the fire Wednesday are pregnant and due anytime. It means a lot to me to be part of a working convoy of 20 trucks and trailers, all risking ourselves to help others in the heart of the fire zone. We helped five ranches.
What are the low points?
Wow – well, to drive into the area and see the destruction is very sad. It also hits home. My roommate’s family lost everything. The grandparents of the assistant manager at my bar, folks in their 80s, evacuated to this area from Katrina. It’s sad to again see such devastation in their lives.
What information would you like to share?
First and foremost, be compassionate and caring. Help where you can, do what you can, and offer what you can. You can give to the large organizations or keep it local and direct. Also, join the CERT programs.
If you would like to share information or your experiences, please leave a comment on this page. Find updated information on how to assist with fire relief by clicking here.
Jimmy Nielsen Watts, who took the photo shown above, and his father, Tommy Watts, are part of the Watts Brothers Band, which will play a concert to benefit fire relief efforts 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Nutty Brown Cafe (12225 Hwy. 290 West).
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By Meghan Watts September 9, 2011 - 8:43 pm
This picture was taken by my uncle Jimmy. The photograph is actually of his brother Tommy Watts Jr.
By Anne Strohm September 10, 2011 - 7:19 am
How about a link for those who have been affected by the fires? It would be nice if we had an easier way to ask for assistance. Right now, I and mine are safe in Austin, but we cannot return to Bastrop for some time. While supplies are readily available in Bastrop for evacuees, the same is not true in Austin.
By donnalee jones September 10, 2011 - 7:33 pm
I am a Bastrop Fire Evacuee,& ACC student. I still do not know if I have a home to return to in the pines as I write this. Your desire to help all those animals is heart warming. May you and the other volunteers know that I and others are very greatfull for all your efforts you gave. Thank you! .
By Bernadette Hinterlong September 12, 2011 - 9:14 am
Sunday, as I was getting ready to grill our Labor Day supper, my husband commented that it looked like we were going to get rain. I looked up and saw a huge black cloud hanging in the sky. I walked around front and looked and saw that it wasn’t rain we were getting but fire. I dialed 911, but it was busy. Shortly after that, we heard the call for the evacuation. My husband and I decided that we would not evacuate until we had to. Sunday night was a very long night for me, the horizon was glowing orange. Every half hour to an hour, my dog and I would go and walk the street. I have two neighbors across the street that also didn’t evacuate. One of them is a Vietnam veteran suffering from Agent Orange disease, the other is also an older gentleman. We got together and decided if and when it was time to go, that we would bug out together. We stayed the night, which was very eerie, because there was no noise in the neighborhood. Usually you hear dogs barking or music playing, especially on a holiday weekend, but there was nothing. Thankfully, about 5:30 am, the glow had subsided. I found out later in the week that the fire had only been three miles from my home! My husband and I went for a ride yesterday down 71 to Smithville, and it is very sad to see the 100 year old pines gone, some burnt to the ground, others with the base of their trunks scorched. I would like to thank all of my ACC family for responding to Bastrops’ call for help! Without our neighbors, it would be a long hard road. I would also like to thank the firefighters that are still battling this beast, we will be forever grateful!
By apatter1 September 12, 2011 - 1:17 pm
Dear Anne – Thank you for your comment and the idea. We’ve added links for federal aid applications as well as for the American Red Cross of Central Texas. Fire victims can find resources through those webpages. You can also check out http://insideacc.austincc.edu/index.php/2011/09/07/help-for-victims-of-central-texas-wildfires/. Hope this helps.