The first of the fires was on Jack Walker Road at about 12:30 p.m. Units from Ledbetter, Grand Lakes, and Smithland responded to a tractor and grass fire. That incident took about an hour to extinguish and wrap up.
Then, just before 2 p.m., Salem Fire was called out to Coyote Drive in the Lola area. The Salem Chief was first to arrive, there and indicated that a large field fire was spreading to nearby structures. Automatic aid brought additional responses from Smithland, Ledbetter, Grand Lakes, Burna, Sheridan, and Crittenden County.
Indications are that wind helped drive that fire and authorities note how quickly a blaze can get out of control. They suggest not burning in windy conditions or before 6 p.m. during the fire danger season which runs through the end of April.
Photos courtesy of Salem and Ledbetter Fire Departments
