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Posted on Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 9:35 a.m.

Grass fire spreads across backyards of 6 homes

By Paula Gardner

Six backyards in an Ypsilanti Township neighborhood were affected by a grass fire Saturday afternoon.

The blaze is an example of the reason Washtenaw County firefighters continue to caution about the dangers of outdoor fires during the recent dry and hot weather conditions.

Grass_fire_M-14.jpg

A recent grass fire on M-14.

Photo courtesy of Stewart Beal from Facebook

Ypsilanti Township firefighters responded to the 1100 block of Rue Willette on the township's north side near Clark and Prospect at about 2:45 p.m. Saturday.

The original call came in for a grass fire that was spreading.

By the time firefighters arrived, it had spread across several backyards.

Ypsilanti firefighters assisted the township crews in containing the blaze to 6 properties.

The only damage was to a privacy fence, said Capt. Larry James. No homes were in danger.

However, James cautioned that the township has had a burning ban in effect since June 27.

It's necessary, he said, due to the extreme conditions that increase likelihood that an errant spark could spread quickly into a full-blown blaze. June was the 10th driest on record, with fewer than 1.5 inches of rainfall recorded all month.

Saturday afternoon's fire wasn't caused by fireworks, James added, but that's another potential area for concern among firefighters as the July 4 holiday approaches.

There is a chance of thunderstorms in the Ann Arbor area on Sunday, according to the forecast. The high is expected to reach 90.

Comments

Madeleine Borthwick

Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 5:13 p.m.

To Richard's "so what".....let's see you say "so what" when your backyard is on fire.....

Madeleine Borthwick

Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 5:09 p.m.

Hey, I like Fireworks as much as anyone, but this could get dangerous. come on people, would it rend your day beyond repair to go without for one year?!

Perry White

Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 12:58 a.m.

"fewer than 1.5 inches of rainfall" How about less than rather than fewer than? You aren't counting them.

a2chrisp

Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 10:39 p.m.

Scarlett mitchell field caught on fire as well a couple of hours ago. There was a quick response and it was put out. We really need some rain.

a2xarob

Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.

We live right up beside a small city park. The grass is tinder dry this year and high because of the long intervals between cutting, and we're worried that fireworks could start a fire that would spread to our home. What are the regulations regarding private citizens setting off fireworks on public property? Is there anything special in effect this year because of the dry conditions? At the moment we plan to sit near the house on our side of the park with the garden hose ready to go. I wouldn't mind if it was just the one night, but usually it starts several nights before the 4th and goes on until midnight each night. This is a lot of sitting at the ready.

xmo

Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 8:07 p.m.

What really bothers my cat is Air Conditions. She gets so scared of them! Skip banning fire works, lets ban Air Conditioners to save my cat and also save the planet!

CincoDeMayo

Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.

Your cat and ME. They ARE frightening. Who thought of naming them that anyway??? What kind of condition is our air in? I just start thinking of things like that....and the noise....and even how they LOOK

slave2work

Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 5:35 p.m.

With the new fireworks allowed this year , it's going to be an loud weekend. Dogs have already had to be to the vet for something to calm them down, just from the ones fired so far. Thanks Mr. Snyder!!.

Dog Guy

Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 11:53 p.m.

"With the new fireworks allowed this year , it's going to be an loud weekend. Dogs have already had to be to the vet for something to calm them down, just from the ones fired so far." Vets are expensive; if need be I'll put ice beer in the dog bowls.

Cash

Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 7:57 p.m.

slave2work, You're so right. It is heartbreaking because you cannot calm the dog and they are horrified. I can't stand the thought of how they suffer and the meds are not good for them either. I'm pretty sure the young people standing around the fireworks will be losing some hearing as well. Kids, the bad news is that Medicare doesn't pay for hearing aids, so good luck as you get older and are deaf.

slave2work

Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.

Agreed Cash. This was all for business,, we have 1/2 a police and fire departments.. so people will and are shooting them till 2 -3 am. and Kara?.. obviously you have never had a dog.. cry out everytime they go off.. or pee all over themselves cause they are so scared. You go on with your big bad ear shattering fireworks. the hell with anyone else. There will be problems with all this this year. Animals aside, they have no need for these big fireworks.

Cash

Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 6:38 p.m.

slave2work, I'm with you. People blowing their hands off or worse.....that won't even get any attention. It's not about protecting taxpayers, it's about catering to business.

Kara H

Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 6:02 p.m.

hmm. I'm pretty progressive and an animal lover and multi-animal owner to boot. But the day we pass legislation based on its effects on suburban dogs would be a strange day indeed. Get them the meds and stay calm as their human/pack leader, and they'll get through it.

Joe_Citizen

Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 4:37 p.m.

Yeah, well road side fires are usually caused by cigarets being thrown out of the windows of cars. Although i have a million neighbors just waiting to blast off the fire works, just as the last twenty years or so. It started last night, with both the people beside and behind me.

CincoDeMayo

Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.

I'm having Deja Vu.

himjo

Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 5:28 p.m.

Huh?

grimmk

Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 3:59 p.m.

Someone near there is setting off firework every night for over a week. I can't SEE them do it. But I live close to that intersection and I can hear them going off.

grimmk

Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 12:18 p.m.

@ Richard I'm still a rock star. I got my rock moves. And I don't need you.

Richard

Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 3:46 a.m.

So what

Joe_Citizen

Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.

Yeah, well road side fires are usually caused by cigarets being thrown out of the windows of cars. Although i have a million neighbors just waiting to blast off the fire works, just as the last twenty years or so. It started last night, with both the people beside and behind me.

Tom Todd

Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 2:29 p.m.

are we in the new Dust bowl.

Madeleine Borthwick

Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 5:11 p.m.

Tom, I think it highly likely.