By Mary Drier (Contact / Staff Bio)
April 22, 2009 - 10:49 a.m. EST

TUSCOLA COUNTY — This week’s rain should put a damper on grass fires after there two major ones erupted Saturday in the county.

A large marsh-grass fire, which drew three fire departments and the DNR, threatened homes and nearby Vanderbilt Park. Neither the park nor the homes were damaged during the blaze. That fire at the northwest tip of the county started about 11 a.m.

While that was going on, there was another field fire about 1:30 p.m. in the Akron-Fairgrove area.

“While everyone else was tied up at the Wisner fire, Fairgrove and us worked on the one north of Dutcher and Merry Road,” said Caro Fire Chief Dave Mattlin.

The Akron Fire Department called for assistance from the Fairgrove and Unionville Fire Departments and the DNR for the fire near the park. The fire departments were on scene about six hours, with the DNR there until 8 p.m.

“It was in the very back corner of the park, in a (wooded and brush) area that needed to be cleaned anyway. It kind of did a favor saving me some work,” said the park’s Manager Mark Shook. “Mostly what burned were just cattails.”

While fire departments fought to keep the blaze contained, the DNR came in with their bulldozer and airplane.

“The DNR plane was for spotting to keep ahead of the fire telling their bulldozer where to go. The bulldozer carves a fire line, taking everything down so the fire has nothing to feed on,” explained Akron Fire Chief Nick Sweetman. “If enough of an area is cleared, then the fire can’t jump without fuel.”

About 40 acres burned and the fire was about a mile long on the shoreline.

“The Akron Fire Department really did a good job,” said Shook. “They kept the fire from spreading to the houses and garages.

“They (fire departments) all worked hard.”

There were so many onlookers who came out to watch the fire that the state police had to stop traffic going into the park so the fire trucks could get in and out, according to Shook.

In the meantime, the field fire wasn’t without its own problems.

“The fire was a big one. About 80-100 acres burnt,” said Mattlin. “The fire was along the railroad track and on both sides of a gully. Then, there were the (strong) winds to deal with, and everything was so dry then.

“This rain really helps.”

Both fires are under investigation.

Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.