Grass Fires Creating Dangerous Situations

Grass fires are becoming a problem for all area fire departments as several grass fires are announced each day.

Quinlan Fire Chief Steve Bowen said the public "needs to be extremely careful in the use of any form or manner of fire."

"All fire departments in south Hunt County are volunteers and we must hold fund-raisers to pay for the ever rising price of diesel as well as the cost of maintenance for our equipment," he said.

Bowen also asked that any person who starts a controlled burn should closely mow an area at least 50 feet around the fire site, and to have a ready source of water at the burn site.

"If burning embers are blown into tall grass, you will not have time to run for a water hose," he said.

Only organic and non-chemically treated material, such as leaves, brush, non-treated lumber or paper can be burned. Chemicals, paints, used motor oil, tires, household trash, asphalt shingles, treated wood shingles, plastic of any type, rubber products or any non-organic item cannot be burned, and can result in heavy local, state and federal fines and or a possible jail sentence.

A legal controlled burn will result in white smoke and an illegal burn will issue black smoke. All fire departments will investigate all black smoke fires.

It is also illegal to burn after dark with the exception of a campfire or a fire that is used for cooking. Bowen also said that any person who starts a controlled burn can be held accountable for all damages that are caused if the fire spreads to pastures or homes.

Hunt County has recently experienced grass fires that spread into heavy brush and which have to be fought on foot by up to seven fire departments with the assistance of the Texas Forestry Service, helicopter and fixed wing water tanker support.