Raleigh fires damage golf course, threaten homes

Raleigh fires damage golf course, threaten homes

11 February 2008

published by http://www.newsobserver.com

USA –High winds Sunday helped to ignite a fire that burned about five acres of the Carolina Country Club golf course, but the West Raleigh grounds should be ready for tee time Tuesday.

The golf course fire was one of dozens of brush and wildfires that struck Sunday across the state, made vulnerable by the long drought and wind gusts that reached up to 45 mph, weather officials reported.

The golf course fire began just before 5 p.m. after a tree limb fell on a power line, said Bob Young, the golf course superintendent. Sparks from the power line fell into a ditch covered with dried debris. The fire came up from the ditch and onto the 17th hole, which runs parallel for about 200 yards with Glenwood Avenue, Young said today.

“The fire burned dormant Bermuda grass,” Young said.

The blaze was disabled and prevented from spreading by a creek that runs through the golf course.

Firefighters arrived about 5 p.m. and had the fire under control between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Young said.

Raleigh fire officials could not be reached for comment.

Young said the fire did not cause significant financial damage.

“We will drain it, blow the black soot off. It’s more labor than anything else,” Young said. “It’s not like I have to replant any grass.”