Area units, forest service respond to FM 61 grass fire

Area fire units and the Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) responded Wednesday to a grass fire on FM 61, near Burch Road in Graham.

At approximately 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, Graham Fire Department, Olney Fire Department, and a deputy with the Young County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a grass fire on FM 61, approximately five miles northwest of Graham. At 4:35 p.m., GFD called the forest service and the Burkburnett Task Force from TAMFS was sent to assist. Both ends of FM 61 were closed around the same time.

According to an update late Wednesday, four structures were threatened by the Pear Fire, with two saved by local units and no structures lost. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, but is listed as “human caused” on the incident report.

As of 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, fire progression had been stopped, and the Burkburnett Task Force had completed a containment line around the perimeter of the fire. Local crews continued to patrol the fire overnight.

As of Thursday afternoon, the Pear Fire was estimated at 70 acres and 100% contained. All units had been cleared from the area as of 3 p.m.