A brush fire spread Sunday over roughly an acre of land near Edic Road, burning up dry grass and small trees before being extinguished about an hour later.

Nobody was injured and nothing of significance was damaged, according to fire personnel.
It began simply enough, said Paul Strife, who said he was working on his aunt’s land when a small tractor-trailer ran out of gas.

Strife, who lives next door at 5985 Edic Road, refilled the tank and started up the tractor.
“That son-of-a-pup went ‘poomp,” he said, referring to a burst of flame from the muffler.

Strife said he turned around and saw the grass had lit on fire. He attempted to stomp it out, but it spread rapidly after a few gusts of wind.

Strife drove the tractor out of harm’s way, and then called 911 at about 2 p.m.

Maynard Fire Department of Marcy and Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company responded to the scene, along with Kunkel Ambulance.

Maynard Fire Chief Joe Mack said an investigation into the cause of the fire has not yet concluded, but it appears Strife’s story is accurate.

He said the fire was difficult to control because it was in a field off the road, where there was no water supply. Additionally, wind gusts kept it spreading for awhile until it was contained.

At the scene, fire lines stretched all the way from Edic Road, over scorched land and to scattered patches of smoke and fire.

“When the wind is blowing, all it takes is a spark,” Mack said. “You’ve got to be really careful.