Fire at MacDonald Park in Medford Burns One Acre, Threatened State Police Barracks

Fifty foot flames snapped in 30 miles-per-hour wind as a fire burned about an acre of tall grass in MacDonald Park Wednesday evening.

It only took about 25 minutes to contain the fire, but it was difficult to gauge due to high winds, Deputy Fire Chief Steve Howe said Wednesday.

An acre of marsh was left barron and black from the fire, which occurred near the banks of the Mystic River and only a couple hundred yards from the State Police Barracks on Route 16.

"At one point we had concerns about the barracks," Howe said.

A total of four pumps were used to quell the fire, which broke out around 5 p.m., Howe said. Medford received assistance from Somerville Fire Department. The fire was contained to a field of tall grass in the park and did not spread closer to the road. No one was hurt.

The tall grass at the park is very dry as result of the mild winter and burned easily, Howe said. Today's warm weather could have also contributed, he said.

No cause has been determined, and it's unlikely one will be found, Howe said.

"We'll probably never know," he said.