Five Acres Burn Outside La Grange

A grass fire on FM 2981 north of La Grange burned about five acres Friday afternoon, Jan. 24.

The call came in around 2:30. La Grange Volunteer Fire Department responded. La Grange Fire Chief Frank Menefee arrived first and found that the property owner had started a small brush fire that spread out of control into the surrounding dry pasture.

Menefee called for assistance from the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department. The two departments used several quick response trucks to attack the fire.

A gusty breeze that day carried the blaze toward a brushy wood line. Firefighters were able to spray down the flames before they got too deep into the woods. After the initial attack, firefighters remained on scene for about an hour “mopping up” the smouldering remnants.

Menefee said his department extinguished another grass fire that morning in the Nechanitz area off FM 3011. That fire was also caused by a property owner setting a small brush fire that got out of control, he said.

The Fayette County Commissioners Court lifted the burn ban late last month. Fayette County Firefighters Association President Stephen Kelly told the Record last Friday that he’s very concerned about the potential for wildfire. He said residents need to exercise extreme caution when burning, and never burn on a windy day.