Several Grass Fires Spark Along Road in Walhalla

Round Top-Warrenton Volunteer Fire Department fought several small grass fires along FM 1291 near Walhalla Thursday afternoon.

The call came in around around 1:40 p.m. on May 22 reporting three small fires in the ditch along FM 1291 between SH 237 and Hartfield Rd. The dispatchers stated that the fires may have been caused by sparks from a vehicle dragging a chain.

Round Top-Warrenton Fire Chief Calvin Krause said his department responded with two grass trucks, a tanker and five personnel. They quickly contained the three small fires burning in the ditch. Firefighters cleared the scene around 2:15 p.m. Krause said he wasn’t sure what caused the fire. Although dispatchers reported that sparks from chains may have started it, Krause pointed out fresh scrape marks on the road. They appeared to have been made by a rim from a blown-out tire.

Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Gonzales also assisted on the call.