The Austin Fire Department is reminding residents that fires can start from almost anything, following a grass fire Thursday afternoon just north of Road 70N along Highway 34.
Crews were dispatched around 12:31 p.m. on May 29 to reports of a fire in a field where cattle had been wintered.
Fire traced back to heated compost
Upon arrival, firefighters found several small fires burning in a cluster.
The department says the source was determined to be heated compost left in the field.
With help from the landowner, the fire was contained before it could spread further.
No damage to surrounding property was reported.
Be fire smart, fire crews urge
“Fires can start from just about anything,” the department noted in a social media post.
The fire department is asking residents to take extra care during dry conditions and keep an eye on organic materials like compost, which can heat up and ignite under the right conditions.
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