News - Siftings Herald -
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Published on: 2/24/2004
Last Visited: 2/24/2004
Greg Johnston, a forest ranger with the commission, said the fire was one mile west of the point where Interstate 30 crosses Arkansas 182, also known as Sticky Road.
The fire ran along the Union Pacific railroad tracks, he said, and was most likely caused by sparks from a moving train.The sparks ignited dry grass along the tracks, and quickly spread to the adjoining woodlands.
Approximately 25 acres of forest burned before the fire was extinguished, Johnston said.
The two bulldozers were used to contain the fire while the two planes dropped a mixture of soap and water from the air to extinguish the fire.
Forestry personnel were on the scene from 1 to 5 p.m., Johnston said.
No injuries were reported.
Three other rural fire departments also fought grass fires over the weekend, he said.
Johnston praised the rural volunteer fire departments for their efforts in getting grass fires under control."I can't stress how much the volunteer fire departments help us out," he said.
By controlling the fires before they get into the woods, valuable resources are saved to fight fire in the future, he said.
Johnston also emphasized how easy a small trash fire can get out of control this time of year.
"When the wind is like it is, with low humidity and dead brown grass, it can get away from you really quickly," Johnston said.