(The following story by Daniel Borunda appeared on the El Paso Times website on May 25.)
EL PASO, Texas — A series of brush fires erupted Tuesday afternoon, scaring residents and keeping firefighters busy along a milelong stretch of railroad tracks in Central El Paso.
Sparks from the wheels of an outbound train, dry brush and a sizzling day were thought to have created burning pockets about 3 p.m. Tuesday stretching along tracks from Byron Street to the Patriot Freeway, firefighters said.
“This 104-, 105-degree heat — it sucks the moisture right out of the plants. I think (the brush fires) will be a prelude of things to come,” fire Battalion Chief Ralph Johnson said, referring to the current streak of record-high temperatures. Seven fire units extinguished the blazes in less than an hour.
Sara Estrada, who is turning 70, said she ran “como venado” (like a deer) to get a water hose to fend off flames trying to leap over her backyard wall.
“Ay virgencita, my trees were moving and I thought they would burn,” Estrada said after all that was left of the fire was scorched ground near Corte Del Sol Street. She wished the city or volunteers would clear brush and trash along the tracks. No injuries or structural damage was reported, fire officials said. The railroad company was informed about the fires.