fire story There may be rain in the forecast but Henryetta firemen are still worrying about grass fires.
Fire chief David Bullard said the rainfall last year has resulted in denser brush and pasture growth. Now that has died off, it can ignite easily and spread quickly.
He pointed out firemen responded to a pair of fires late this past week involving a number of large hay bales.
Those bales smoldered throughout the day and night then embers spread by the gusty south wind that threatened several other homes in the area. Henryetta, and Wilson fire crews were called in to contain the fire.
"The only thing that is saving us now is about every three weeks we get some rain," he said. Otherwise this could have been a real bad fall."

Firemen are worried about county residents burning trash and letting it get out of control.
The rain, while it may be beneficial in the short term, can also cause problems with heavy trucks forced to go across moisture-laden fields. "We can get those trucks stuck in the mud quickly he said.