If you saw an enormous column of black smoke on the west side of Temple Sunday evening, this was the cause.

Ten area fire departments were called to battle a grass fire at 7720 Airport Road. The initial call to Temple Fire and Rescue concerning 10 to 12 small fires burning along the roadway was  dispatched at 5:23 PM.

Shortly after Temple firefighters arrived, an incident commander requested help from the city's East Side Taskforce, which coordinated assistance from fire crews in Belton, Holland, Little River Academy, Moffat, Morgan’s Point, Rogers, Salado, Sparta and Troy. TF&R spokesman Thomas Pechal said the units were instrumental in extinguishing a number of small fires across the area.

Bulldozers from Texas A&M's Forest Service were also used to create a fire break.

Air traffic was diverted away from Draughon–Miller Central Texas Regional Airport from 6:40 PM to 7:45 PM as crews continued to work the fire.

Firefighters remained at the scene of the blaze overnight to monitor for any hot spots.

Given the dry conditions in Central Texas, Pechal asked that residents be very careful with any outdoor activities that might spark outdoor fires, and that cigarette butts not be discarded outside but inside a secure indoor ash tray.

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