Brush fire in Lower Valley started unintentionally, investigators say
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A significant brush fire erupted Wednesday afternoon in the Featherlake Wildlife Sanctuary, consuming around 32 acres of land and leading to evacuations.
Firefighting teams managed to bring the fire under control by late afternoon while addressing smoldering hotspots for several hours.
El Paso Fire Department says the cause of the fire was due to the unintentional act of a person.
They say that it was most likely that sparks from the act of welding or grinding caused by the ignition of nearby vegetation that started the fire.
El Paso Fire Department also says the fire was contained within the sanctuary and did not have any exposure to any structure.
Approximately 10 to 15 nearby residents were temporarily evacuated due to safety concerns as flames approached residential areas.
As El Paso braces for soaring temperatures, officials are urging vigilance regarding fire safety in the dry conditions.
Investigations into the fire's cause and its impact on the sanctuary's wildlife are ongoing, with light winds and dry brush thought to have accelerated its spread
