By Kimberly Prather, Student Reporter

The Abilene area experienced high winds Tuesday that did more than just stir up dust and turn around signs. Several grass fires ignited in Callahan County, Nolan County and throughout Northwest Abilene.

The biggest fires, according to the Abilene Reporter-News, were in Callahan County between Baird and Clyde and in Nolan County near Maryneal. According to the Reporter- News, the fires destroyed one home, causing others to be evacuated. All together, the fires burned between 1,500- 2,000 acres and endangered nearby structures.

Neither the cause of the blaze nor extent of damage had been determined by Tuesday evening.

Even those not living in the area were affected, like Ryan Bowman, an ACU graduate, who said the fires affected many in his workplace who live in the Nolan County area.

“A lot of my co-workers live in the areas were affected and lost a lot of valuables and are now forced to re-build,” Bowman said.

Bowman is an employee of Arrow Ford Inc. and said his company is just asking for help right now. “These fires are going to hit the economy hard and raise taxes for the Abilene area,” Bowman said.

Other fires that broke Tuesday, included a grass fire in northwest Abilene, sparked by a power line that was knocked downed by the wind.

This fire burned 20 acres near Shirley Road north of Interstate 20, said John Brunett, public information officer for the Abilene Fire Department.

“A stop was put to the fire pretty quickly because the fire was contained by the roads that ran around it,” Brunett said.

Smaller fires in several counties that affected residents in areas including Eastland, Brown and Scurry were reported on Tuesday, but none burned more than 20 acres of grass, local fire officials said.

Azraa Rounds, junior information systems major from St. Louis. Mo., noticed the smell of the fire after leaving the game Tuesday.

“I could smell something burning but didn’t know where it was coming from…so I was not surprised to hear about the fires,” Rounds said.