To the Editor:

Monday afternoon, Oct. 1, 2007, a “mysterious” fire was started in my pine forest and spread rapidly into Blue Gurth swamp where it ran rampant, burning roughly 40 acres of 10-year-old plantation.

Burnsville, Summerfield and Valley Grande fire departments, the Selma Rescue Squad, Dallas County Sheriff’s Department and the Forestry Department from Dallas and Autauga counties all responded to the blaze.

After many hours of bulldozers installing firebreaks to contain the fire, and the fine work of the ladies and men of the volunteer fire departments, the fires were prevented reaching close by structures and endangering the nearby community of homes.

Due to record-breaking drought conditions, this could have been a disaster to the community on County Road 306. Let’s all remember, “fire is a friend or a foe.”

We don’t need any more “mysterious” fires anywhere.

To neighbors who helped contain and control this potentially dangerous situation, thank you.

Bobby A. Bearden

Plantersville