Strong Winds Fuel Two Grass Fires
By: Candace Hutchins
Updated: January 28, 2008
The strong winds Monday posed quite a problem for firefighters battling two grass fires on the South Plains. One that caused several homes to be evacuated. The first of two fires started in Shallowater around two Monday afternoon. It quickly spread down County Road 5830.
And with the strong winds, the fire quickly spread, destroying several storage sheds, even putting some homes in danger. But firefighters quickly wet down the grass near the homes. They had the fire out in an hour and a half and no homes were damaged.
But Bailey County Commissioner, Butch Vandiver, says he's worried that may not be the case for the wildfire they fought just went of Muleshoe. "I'm kinda concerned about one house over there, but I dunno if we saved it or not", says Vandiver.
Officials say several homes were evacuated because of heavy smoke but were never in danger of any flames. The only known structure to be destroyed was a barn. A major concern for firefighters was keeping the fire from spreading across US 84, which was closed to traffic most of the afternoon.
