Grass fire places chickens in harm's way

By Staff
Rebecca Walker, Franklin County Times
A plume of white smoke could be seen for miles around on Friday afternoon, coming from a Pilgrim's Pride chicken yard on County Road 63, east of Highway 43.
According to Fire Captain Aubrey Harris, approximately half an acre was lost in a grass fire. The cause of the fire was still under investigation as of Friday evening. Harris stated that it is believed that the fire was accidental.
Most of the flames were extinguished within an hour, according to Fire Chief Joe Mansell.
"People just don't realize how deadly it is. Everything is so dry. Something as simple as throwing a cigarette out of the window could cause something like this," said Police Captain Waymon Pounders, who was at the scene and owns property nearby.
Franklin County, as well as 32 other counties around the state, is under a burn ban. Anyone found burning an open flame outdoors or shooting fireworks can be fined between $250 and $500, as well as facing imprisonment for up to six months.