CASTROVILLE, Texas – A tractor fire in Castroville spread into a field Thursday afternoon, burning about three acres before firefighters contained it, according to Medina County Fire and EMS.
In a Facebook post, the department said Station 10 in Castroville was notified “just before 4:45 this afternoon” of a tractor on fire that had spread to the field. Stations 10 and 11 from La Coste, along with units from Hondo, responded with brush trucks, a tender and an engine.
“As crews could see the large column of smoke while in route, Chief 8101 arrived first within 7 minutes reporting the tractor and approx. 3 acres of grass and brush burning,” the department said.
Firefighters focused first on the fast-moving grass fire, then worked to put out the tractor once additional crews arrived. The tractor was “unfortunately a total loss,” the department said.
Medina County Fire and EMS said the fire was contained within 15 minutes of crews arriving, and that the quick response prevented it from spreading into nearby fields or onto other properties.
Units on scene included L8110, M8110, Tender 8111, Brush 8111, HB 8161 and Battalion 8160, the department said.
The department also urged residents to be cautious as conditions dry out. “Reminder the vegetation is quickly drying out and with each day the potential for vegetation fires increases,” the post said, adding that crews responded to multiple vegetation fires throughout the district last week.