Two large grass fires kept area firefighters busy on Sunday.
The larger of the two fires happened near Borden, along Mulmur Tosorontio Townline, just after 2 p.m. About 50 firefighters from six different fire departments responded to the call.
Officials estimate that the fire consumed about 150 acres of grass along the rural road. Crews say the wind and dry conditions caused the fire to spread very quickly. The cause is unknown.
“It was into trees and hardwood bush, which made it difficult to get the manpower and equipment into it,” says Mulmur-Melancthon Fire Chief Jim Clayton. “We’re about a half a kilometre in from the roadway and we simply have to walk through the bushes, pull our lines and use water packs and brooms and shovels and attack the fire.”
Firefighters are expected to be at the scene for at least another couple hours to contend with hotspots.
The second fire broke out just before noon in Springwater Township. Fire crews there say 25 firefighters battled the flames that spread almost three hectares.
Investigators say someone was burning wood outside when the wind picked up.
