March 9, 1977

Grass fires keep firefighters busy

       At least 15 grass fires in the past two days have created an exhausting and troublesome situation for the county firefighters. Most of those fires have been caused by careless trash burning, according to fire officials, though in a few cases, the fires were caused when property owners were attempting to burn off a field. The combination of dry weather and high winds create an ideal condition for fires to rage out of control in grassy areas, fire officials pointed out.

         In the wake of the activity of the past two days, which included one barn fire and the burning of one swath of land a mile in length, fire officials are asking area residents to refrain from burning trash if it is at all possible. “Let it pile up in the garage until it (the weather) gets wet,” suggested Bargersville Fire Chief Joe Harrod. “Tell them (readers) for goodness’ sakes not to burn anything until we get some rain,” he advised. Bob Wehrman, Chief of the White River Township Fire Department added that all trash fires should be attended if they must be started at all. Dick Van Valer, Deputy Chief of the Greenwood Fire Department, said that the burning of trash fires is against the law unless it is done in the appropriate incinerator. Such a container should be metal and have a cement block base. Property owners could be arrested and fined for starting improper trash fires, Van Valer cautioned. Van Valer felt the problem is that “people don’t realize that they (fires) will spread quickly.” He noted that people start small trash fires, then walk away, only to find that the blaze is out of control in a short time because of the dry grass and propelling winds.

         He noted that these seemingly harmless fires cause fire apparatus to be burned, people killed and homes destroyed if they get out of control. A barn fire at Whiteland was blamed on a spreading grass fire Tuesday. Large grass fires spreading from road to road were reported near Morgantown and Trafalgar on Wednesday. Bargersville firemen reported two large grass fires and three small ones Wednesday, and White River Township firemen were called out on four such fires, while Greenwood assisted with one of the White River runs.                 

         Tuesday, two grass fires each were reported by White River Township, Nineveh and Greenwood firefighters and one was reported by Edinburgh. Harrod pointed out that while most of the fires in the past few days have not been costly in terms of damage, they have caused volunteer firefighters to be called off their regular jobs to protect nearby buildings. “I don’t think the public realizes the trouble involved in fighting a grass fire,” Harrod said, noting that some of the men, especially older firefighters can become easily overexerted during such a fast spreading fire. Bargersville fire trucks and men were out from shortly after noon Wednesday until 5:30 p.m. and White River Township firemen had their first call shortly after 11 a.m. and were kept busy until after 9 p.m. because of the high incidence of brush, grass and tree fires.  (Reprinted with permission of the Daily Journal)

 

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