News

The Texas Rockhouse Fire that destroyed over 40 homes and structures in Fort Davis and closed many area trails and parks is being reported as 95% to 100% contained. As the smoke and danger begin to subside parks and trails are reopening. A Lone Tree stands among the burnt grassland in Fort Davis Texas - Photo Credit: Texas Forest ServiceBalmorhea State Park has been open for several days now. Davis Mountains State Park is scheduled to reopen Saturday May 7th.

My schedule lately has made it hard for me to keep up with what's going on with the blogosphere. As a result my "week in review" posts have been suffering. But non the less

The Nature Conservancy's Davis Mountain Preserve has an open weekend scheduled for May 13-15. With the Rockhouse Fire still threatening the area it is likely the preserve will be closed that weekend. On May 4th the preserve will decided weather or not they will open.Should conditions allow for an open event in mid-May, the open weekend scheduled for May 13th through 15th will be shortened to an open day on Saturday, May 14th only, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

It seems all I have been writing about lately are the wildfires currently burning in Texas and New Mexico. Today I take a break to write about a sad fatality in Big Bend National Park.Big Bend National Park released this tragic news yesterday afternoon.Jasbo Jerome Whitfield, 29, of of Boerne, Texas took his own life by a self inflicted gunshot wound on the road between Castolon and Santa Elena Canyon at 6:00 PM on April 21, 2011. Big Bend

Monday afternoon Balmorhea State Park was ordered closed just in case winds send the Rockhouse fire (aka Fort Davis Fire) to the northeast. Even though the town is not currently being threatened by fire, TPWD is trying to stay two steps ahead of the danger. "The evacuation is meant to clear the area of non-residents in the event of an emergency situation."Balmorhea State Park - Photo credit: Fliker User: Princess Stand in the RainShifting winds are expected to push the

Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area is closed until future notice due to fire activity in the area. The Last Chance fire began Sunday near the area of the Falls and has spread across 39,000 acres. The fire is currently 20% contained in steep and rugged terrain. Air Tanker Over Last Chance Fire. Photo courtesy of inciwebHWY137 is closed at 408 (Dark Canyon Road) by State Police blockadeDark Canyon Road is closed at Hidalgo RoadSitting Bull Falls Road is closed. Last

A fire has started in the Guadalupe Mountains north of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The fire began in the steep, rocky and inaccessible terrain of the Guadalupe district: Lincoln National Forest and has spread across 10,000 acres into Bureau of Land Management and private lands. The "Last Chance fire" is so named because it started near the Last Chance trail. I was in this area just a few weeks ago visiting Sitting Bull Falls. The cause of the fire is

The Nature Conservancy has closed the Madera Canyon Trail due to fire danger. The Madera Canyon Trail is a privately owned trail on The Nature Conservancy's Davis Mountain Preserve. The trail is normally open to the public year round, but considerable lack of rain has caused dangerous conditions on many trails in far west Texas. If significant rain does not occur it is likely the Preserve will close their open weekend scheduled for May 13-15th. We will notify you when

I wanted to remind everyone that tomorrow is the last day to enter the Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack giveaway. YourLUME.com has been gracious enough to donate this earth friendly gear for you to win.Click here for your chance to win a Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack.And while your at it take the time to thank YourLUME.com and visit their website. YourLUME.com is a great place to buy gear, but that's not all. You can share stories from your own outdoor adventures and

Two days ago the Fort Davis / Rockhouse Fire was still burning with 75% of the fire contained. Fires all across the state continue to burn aided by dry windy conditions. Texas is in desperate need of rain. Please be praying for the people effected by these fires. I have collected the following photos of Fort Davis Fire. I cannot claim credit, nor do I know who to give credit to. If you are one of the photographers and wish