Lightning fires keep firefighters busy

Lightning kept area firefighters busy on Thursday.

A bolt ignited a 400-acre grass fire 20 miles south of Elida, according to Elida Fire Chief Adam Anthony.

Elida was assisted by Milnesand firefighters in containing the fire.

Later the same day, Elida firefighters were asked to help the Dora Fire Department with another grass fire.

And, yet another grass fire was started by lightning, burning five acres at Roosevelt Road 7 and Roosevelt Road Y. It took Portales firefighters an hour to put the fire out, said Brenda Fenton, administrative assistant for the Portales Fire Department.