Grass fire along Highway 77 in Italy threatens nearby homes

Barry Byers Posted September 13, 2011 3:15pm Italy FD

Image: Grass fire flares up just outside Italy late Friday evening. — Grass fire flares up just outside Italy late Friday evening. (Mike South)

Late Friday evening, volunteer fire departments from Italy, Milford and Forreston responded to a grass fire along Highway 77 just outside Italy. The fire forced motorists to detour due to a wall of smoke impeding the roadway. Nearby residents were at risk but the quick actions of neighboring departments kept property damage to a minimum.

With the area beaten down while suffering from a ongoing drought, local firefighters chalked up another victory as a rash of grass fires has kept fire and rescue crews busy throughout Ellis County.

With the community still under a burn ban, motorists are cautioned not discard cigarettes along the road ways.

Always Dial 911 in emergencies.

Fire crews and emergency personnel quickly arrive to the scene. (Mike South)

A prolonged drought has left nearby fields dry as the fire threatens to consume the area. (Mike South)

The City of Italy gets hidden behind a cloud of smoke. (Mike South)

The Italy Police Department manages to detour motorists. (Mike South)

Forreston’s Volunteer Fire Department responds to the scene. (Mike South)

The fire burned several acres along the corner of Highway 77 and Kinfolk Lane outside Italy. (Mike South)

The smoke began to clear as fire crews get a handle on the situation. (Mike South)

The Milford Volunteer Fire Department hoses down hot spots. (Mike South)

Forreston firefighters keep the potential danger watered down. (Mike South)

Firefighters work in unison to protect the community. (Mike South)

Multitasking; a pair of Forreston firefighters do the work of three men. (Mike South)

One last pass along the road’s edge gives the Forreston, Milford and Italy Volunteer Fire Departments another victory. (Mike South)

Milford firefighters give the all clear. (Mike South)