Brush Fire Threatens St. Michael Homes

In what might be a sign of things to come after this incredibly dry fall and winter season, a brush fire threatened homes in western St. Michael Saturday.

The blaze, which broke out around 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, consumed acreage in a marsh and swamp area that is surrounded by homes in the Lincoln Ponds neighborhood.

Flames shot as high as 20 feet, consuming bullrushes and cattails along the way. Fortunately, St. Michael Fire and a grass crew from Hanover Fire (which services the Crow-Hassan Regional Park) were able to knock the fast-moving flames in about 20 minutes.

No one was hurt.

It's not clear what started the fire, but firefighters expect this to be a common problem this spring, as dead vegetation from last year wasn't weighed down or watered by snowfall.

Grass and brush fires are more common in March and April, of course. But with no snow cover, that could come sooner.

Firefighters ask people to be on the lookout, and to call 911 immediately if they see flames in areas where there might be concern. Residents shouldn't attempt to fight fires themselves, as the dry vegetation and high spring winds can often cause fires to increase rapidy, or even jump locations.