Tags:
| Updated: 8/14/2012 5:34 pm |
Published: 8/14/2012 5:08 pm |
PERRY COUNTY, AR - The Arkansas forestry commission thinks lightning started this 900 to 1000 acre fire that destroyed a home, as well as three or four barns and sheds. Frances Christmas lives about 50 yards away and while her property is safe, she feels terrible about her neighbors.
"Here they are as old, almost as old as we are, and his mother is in real bad health,” Christmas said. “They have to take care of her so it's really hard."
Forestry expects this fire to continue burning for the next two to three days. Even though this fire has already ripped through this area once, trees keep falling and then the fire starts back up again.
Another potential problem is what the Forestry Commission calls ladder-fuels - sticks and leaves along the side of trees that can catch, spreading for vertically.
"It's gonna get into the leaves and then cause spot fires which are, can be a squirrels nest or just dry leaves that will catch on fire and with the wind, yesterday they were blowing up to a quarter-mile away." Sheila Doughty with the Arkansas Forestry Commission said.
It's why people near Casa need to stay on high alert. It won't be a problem for Christmas who has an all too real reminder right next door.
"You know, you think that could have been us," Christmas said.
