Afternoon Grass Fire Keeps Guymon Firefighters Busy

Thursday afternoon proved that even with all the recent moisture grass fires can still occur. Guymon Firefighters were called at 1:34pm Thursday afternoon to a grass fire 2 miles west of Guymon on Rd. X. “Once fire units were on scene, they found what started as a small fire growing into a much larger and more dangerous fire with homes and other structures as risk”, stated Assistant Fire Chief Dean McFadden who was also incident commander of this fire.

The fire started from a legal and controlled burn barrel which is common for residence outside the city limits to utilize to burn trash. Land owner states that as they were burning they heard a small explosion such as an aerosol can inside the barrel. Burning papers flew out of the barrel in all directions and started multiple small grass fire near the barrel. The 10 mph warm south winds then quickly spread the fire out into a pasture of native grass. The fire then became too large to be controlled by the land owners and the Guymon Fire Department was requested shortly thereafter.

“Approximately 50 acres of dry grass and large piles of tree limbs burned before firefighters were able to contain the fire”, said Assistant Chief McFadden. The fire was stopped before it reached Rd. W. Fast action and coordination of the Guymon Firefighters with Texas County District #2 tankers and road graders prevented fire from reaching any homes or structures. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within 2 hours with no injury to personnel. Land owner of the fire was transported from the scene by EMS to the hospital for minor heat and smoke exhaustion then later released.

Guymon Fire Department was assisted by Texas County District #2, Texas County Emergency Management, Texas County Sheriff’s Department, and other land owners in containing this fire.