Numerous High-Risk Grass Fires Occur in Salem

Firefighters got to this fire in time, they are hoping that people are mindful of the extremely dry conditions that so easily lead to fires Photo courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM) - Salem Fire Fighters got an early start of responding to high and low risk fires during this dry period. Fire Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says that in the last 48 hours there have been over 10 fires that have been started in bark dust or in grass fields.

Although none of them have been determined to have been started by fire works. Fire fighters are prepared for a very busy 4th of July season, due to the high temperatures and very dry grass.

They have been so busy with these types of fires that two of them came in at the same time. Saturday at 12:30 PM, firefighters responded to a high-risk grass fire at Union Street and Front Street just in front of Stevens Equipment Company. The fire was actually started by welding sparks from the business.

Although the fire did not damage any of the structure it did burn up to the structure prior to it being extinguished.

The other high-risk grass fire occurred at Mission Street SE and 17th Street SE. It burned approximately a 100 by 100 area before being extinguished. It has not been determined what caused this fire.

Salem Firefighters ask everyone to be especially careful this holiday with fireworks and disposing of cigarettes due to the extreme risk of causing a large fire.