Fire At George Bush Park Contained

1,500 Acres Bur

HOUSTON -- A large fire burned about 1,500 acres of land at George Bush Park, but firefighters said it was 100 percent contained Wednesday.

RAW Video: George Bush Park Fire

Images: George Bush Park Fire | Map Of George Bush Park

The fire started near a roadway at the park in the 16700 block of Westheimer Parkway near state Highway 6 about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday.

More than a dozen firefighters remained on the scene dousing hot spots and making sure flames did not flare up again. Fire lines around the flames helped contain it.

Smoke will likely be in the area for several days, officials said.

David Weeks said he is relieved the fire is out because he lives a few yards from the park.

"I actually woke up twice last night to just check for embers and stuff. There's a road there so it wasn't going to come over, but an ember could have come over and landed on one of the roofs," Weeks said.

Fire officials flew in a Houston Police Department helicopter to get an aerial view of what was still smoldering Wednesday.

"The problem with this is that you have large dead trees out there. That once these trees burn, they can smolder for days," said Danny Watkins with the Houston Fire Department.

Houston Fire Department officials said the fire traveled north-northeast and was pushed by the wind for a while.

Several agencies, including the Houston Fire Department, West I-10, Cy-Fair and other volunteer fire departments were battling the flames.

"It's just so dry," KPRC Local 2 chief meteorologist Frank Billingsley said. "It's what they call a tinderbox. It's as dry a ground fuel as you can get. This is the worst drought we've seen in probably a couple hundred years."

George Bush Park is about 7,800 acres.

No evacuations were ordered and no one was injured.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but fire officials said a tossed cigarette may have ignited it.

HFD Safety Tips During Drought

Barbecue Safety

• Portable barbecue pits, charcoal grills and other open-flame cooking devices outside of a building should not be operated on combustible balconies or located within 10 feet of combustible walls or roofs or other combustible materials.
• When igniting the barbecue charcoal, use a charcoal lighter, not gasoline. Gasoline can flash violently in and around the pit causing serious injuries to anyone in the area of the flash. A fire extinguisher or charged garden hose should be handy while the fire is burning. Check the pit frequently to ensure that it is OK.
• Hot ash and coals from barbecue pits and charcoal burners should be placed in a non-combustible container until cooled or thoroughly saturated with water, before being disposed.
• Citizens should also be aware that there is a temporary ban on all barbeque pits in city of Houston parks.

Open Flames

• The city of Houston Fire Code prohibits all open-burning within the Houston city limits at all times. The burn ban in unincorporated areas of Harris County also prohibits any outdoor open-burning, including the burning of: a bonfire, rubbish fire, campfire, trench fire, or other fire in an outdoor location when not contained.

Vehicles, Trailers & Tools

• Park vehicles so that the exhaust system does not come in contact with dry grass, leaves, or weeds.
• Adjust the safety chains on trailers to ensure they don’t drag and create sparks that can cause roadside starts.
• Keep lawn mowers and agricultural equipment in proper working condition and avoid rocks and other materials which might cause a spark.
• Do not weld or cut without a spotter, a water source and a shovel.
• Notify the electric power company when dead trees or overhanging limbs endanger the electric wires. The wires may touch each other or the ground, causing sparks that start fires.

Cigarettes or Other Smoking Materials

• Another cause of accidental fires is carelessly discarded cigarettes or other smoking materials. They can smolder for hours and should be completely doused with water before being discarded in a safe manner, rather than tossed out a window or on the ground.
• Texas' arson law includes felony punishment for anyone whose cigarette recklessly sets fire to a building or injures anyone. Arson is a second-degree felony in Texas, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, but if a person is hurt or killed or if the fire involves a church, arson is a first-degree felony, carrying possible punishment of up to life in prison.