Burn Ban in effect for Presidio County
PRESIDIO – Quick action by passersby and a rapid response by the Presidio Volunteer Fire Department helped extinguish and contain a grass fire started along U.S. 67 about one mile north of the Lely International Airport at 8pm, Wednesday, July 11.
The fire was first spotted by two Border Patrol agents and this writer who were returning to Presidio.
The agents attacked the beginning area with towels and water from ice chests, and this writer followed with same at the end of the grass strip on the shoulder of the road.
Shortly thereafter, two PVFD firetrucks arrived with a number of volunteers who quickly sprayed the area with water and fire retardant.
Presidio Fire Chief Saul Pardo this week said that the cause of the grass fire is not known, but two common causes of fire along the highway are someone throwing a cigarette out the window, or if vehicle stops on the grass, which is high and dry, and the hot muffler ignites the grass. All of Presidio County remains under a burn ban by order of the Presidio County Commissioners’ Court.