Grass fire sends thick grey smoke into the skies above Clovis, disrupts school activities
Fire crews across the Valley are already seeing an increase in vegetation fires.
CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- A grass fire sent thick grey smoke into the skies of Clovis, affecting school activities in the area.
Winds quickly pushed flames towards Fresno County homes Thursday afternoon near Fowler and Behymer.
The fast-moving fire destroyed more than 120 acres of dry brush.
The smoke was visible to residents from miles away, and caused Bud Rank Elementary School to cancel sports activities and send students home.
"A fire has developed west of the school. Out of an abundance of caution, due to smoke, we are cancelling sports today," the school administration wrote in a message to parents.
Fortunately, crews were able to put the fire out before homes were damaged.
It's situations like this that fire crews across the Central Valley fear could have much more dangerous consequences.
Tulare County Fire Captain Joe Rosa says he's seeing an increase in vegetation fires due to hot and dry conditions.
He says this is concerning as we approach fire season.
"We are starting to see that vegetation dry out much earlier than we have in years past," he says.
Rosa says they have already responded to at least 300 fires this year.
Last year they had about 3,000 total.
He dreads that this is a preview of what is to come in the summer months.
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Last year the Sequoia Complex Fire burned nearly 200,000 acres in Tulare County.
"At some point, we are probably going to be taxed pretty good with the amount of the fires we are going to have," Rosa says.
The state is offering fire departments some assistance.
Earlier this year, Governor Gavin Newsom dedicated millions of dollars to fund additional staffing.
It's already proven beneficial for the Fresno County Fire Department.
"We are able to put firefighters on trucks sooner. We are able to open up some of the stations that may have been closed previously," says battalion chief Dan Urias.
Fire officials are also asking those in the public to do their part.
Remove all dry brush within 100 feet of your home.
And mow your lawns in the morning since vegetation reaches its peak burn time after 10 in the morning.
In addition, fire officials ask those hauling trailers to make sure their chains are secure, because if they drag on the ground they could spark a fire.
The cause of the fire at Behymer and Fowler is still under investigation.
