From staff reports
The Burton Fire District responded to its 13th fire in 2025 late this Saturday morning, Jan. 18 after a reported shed fire on Possum Hill Road.
Just after 11:30 a.m., Saturday, the Burton Fire District responded to a reported shed fire on Possum Hill Road, its 13th fire in 18 days. Fire crews arrived on scene to what they initially believed was a shed fire; however, it was later determined to be a dog kennel. The dog was not present. The fire was caused by an unattended outdoor fire.
While a relatively small fire, these fires are concerning Burton fire officials as the cause of many of these fires are a result of outdoor burning.
The Burton Fire District has responded three times to structures that have been damaged by fires caused by unattended outdoor burning, one of which damaged a home and caused minor injuries to a resident. All of these fires have also threatened neighboring structures and properties as well.
In addition to these fires, since January 1, the Burton Fire District has responded to three outdoor trash fires, three unsafe outdoor fires, a brush fire believed to have been caused by an unattended fire in a burn barrel, and one fire caused by fireworks.
“The fires caused by yard burning were not accidental fires,” Burton Fire District Captain and Fire Investigator Lee Levesque said in a news release. “They were a result of inattention and negligence; outdoor fires that were either left unattended or fires that were not completely extinguished and later reignited. All 100% preventable.”
Burton fire officials said they have been hoping that the devastating fires in Los Angeles would result in citizens to be more aware and cautious when burning outdoors.
“But apparently that has not been not the case,” stated Levesque.
