SOUTHEASTERN IN — It was a busy weekend for area firefighters.
Dry conditions plus high winds and the burning of brush and other items equaled brush fires on Friday and Saturday.
The Dillsboro Fire Department was sent to the 10,300 block of Texas Gas Road for its second large brush fire in two days late Friday afternoon.
The Friendship Volunteer Fire Department – along with the City of Aurora and Hogan Township fire departments – responded with brush firefighting trucks and tankers to battle flames that were burning 20 acres of field and woodland that was difficult to reach.
Crews were able to keep the fire from spreading to trees.
No one was injured.
None of the nearby homes or buildings sustained damage.
Winds were clocked anywhere from 8 to 12 mph, which may have contributed to the fire’s spread.
The cause is listed as accidental.
Meantime, fire departments around Ripley and Decatur counties were sent to several brush fires caused by high winds and dry conditions on Saturday.
Area residents are reminded to hold off on open burning until conditions are more favorable.
Laurel and Metamora firefighters were sent to a reported fully engulfed structure on the 24,000 block of Sanes Creek Road shortly before 5 pm Saturday.
Metamora and Brookville firefighters were dispatched several hours earlier on Saturday afternoon to a structure fire on the 16,000 block of Pine Hill Road.
The fire was under control by the time crews arrived.
There’s no word on injuries, causes, or damage estimates from either fire in Franklin County.