Around 1:30 p.m. this afternoon, a grass fire was reported between Avalon and Italy just off Lufkin Road. The fire bell rang sending Fire Chief Donald Chambers and Firefighter Eric Bradley into the ring of fire using Italy’s Brush 1 fire engine.

Aided by 70º heat and 9 mph winds blowing NNW with 13 mph gusts, smoke quickly filled the Ellis County countryside. Unfortunately, fire crews had a difficult time getting down to the origins of the fire since pathways were blocked by locked gates and rough terrain.

If the humidity is low enough, a grass fire can ignite in a flash in this Texas heat. However, Chief Chambers suggested the actual cause was more likely that of a discarded cigarette or a floating spark from nearby farm equipment.

Chief Chambers also explained that it was the animal manure covering the open field that created the wall of smoke that could be seen over a mile away. Livestock in the area made their way to higher ground eluding the billowing smoke with no evacuations needed.

Eventually, fire crews found a path and finally were able to battle the blaze face-to-fire. Obviously, Chambers and Bradley were a powerful one-two combination that flattened the fire in the first hour, proving that the fire was no match for the Italy Fire Department’s superior training.

Chances are, there will be a rematch. And when the bell rings again, the I.F.D. firefighters will be ready for any challenges.