Staff report
Firefighters across Rowan County are holding their breath and waiting for rain to lessen the danger of fires.
The combination of gusting winds and no significant rain for more than a month has left fields, yards and woodlands ready to burn.
A red-flag warning was posted Thursday for most of the state due to the low humidity and gusting winds.
Fire departments across the county have been called out repeatedly to grass and woods fires over the past several days.
John Morrison, head of the Rowan Fire & Rescue Association, is eagerly awaiting rain forecast for the weekend.
“Don’t burn anything outside,” Morrison said Thursday. “If you’re using a wood stove, make sure the ashes are out before dumping them.”
The spring-like temperatures this week have made the situation worse.
Morrison said a lot of homeowners are getting out and cleaning up their yards, and they’re burning leaves and debris. While it may feel like spring, however, the grass in yards and fields hasn’t turned green yet.
“If you burn leaves today and turn your back a few seconds, the wind gets in it and it’s gone,” Morrison said.
At this point, a soaking rain is the relief needed.
Fires have broken out across the county, burning small patches of grass and fields and spreading to buildings.
A piece of machinery used for logging sparked a fire off Jones Road near the Lazy 5 Ranch.
The West Rowan Fire Department was out for nearly two hours dousing the fire.
Atwell firefighters were also out Wednesday on Brown Road, where a field had caught fire.