Chief Urges Caution as Drought So Intense Fire Could Spark Anywhere

Strong wind and high temperature make a perfect recipe for grass fires. La Grange Fire Chief Frank Menefee asks everyone to exercise extreme caution as these conditions prevail.

As of Sunday, Aug. 13, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KDBI) for Fayette County ranged between 677 and 765 with an average of 738. The maximum is 800.

“It can’t get much worse,” Menefee said.

Menefee said most wildfires start in the right-of-way along highways. Cigarettes, blown out tires and chains dragging can all start a grass fire. But many fires get started by accident by people working outside, he said.

“Just a lawnmower can create an issue,” Menefee said. “You hit a flint rock and you can start a fire. Hay cutters, shredders, all those things – people need to be careful.”

He said vehicles driven through tall grass can start a fire from their hot exhaust pipes. Moving parts inside agricultural machinery, especially hay balers, can start fires from friction and heat. They need to be properly greased and maintained.

“Machinery is a big problem,” Menefee said. “Bearings can go out.”

Menefee said the best course of action is to wait to complete these tasks until conditions improve. “Try to hold off a little bit until this blows over,” he said. “I’m sitting on pins and needles because we’ve got all this wind.”

Menefee said he understands that some jobs cannot wait until the weather improves.

“I have cattle and I’m going to have to go out in the pasture and feed hay, but I’ve got to be careful,” he said.

Menefee said farmers and ranchers should keep fire extinguishers with them when working on property in the country.

“We’re asking everybody to be extremely careful right now,” he said.