Started a grass fire today!

[KrisD]

Today while mowing a small residential lawn I looked up to notice it was on fire. I quickly put it out using my trusty hat and then the water hose. It only burned up a small section. I talked to the fire dept. and they said it might have been caused by hitting a rock or something caused a spark. The grass was still mostly dormant and dry. My question is how common is this? Has it happened to anyone else? The customer took it ok. I'm afraid that I will worry that I left the back yard on fire or something on all my future yards. Thanks for your help.

[Ground Pounder]

Being a professional firefighter, let's just say that must have been some spark. The grass would have had to been dry enough and tall enough to support combustion from a spark.

But the benefit is, it's early enough in the season that when it grows back, it will be lush and green. Just say you meant to do that.

[PIONEER]

not in ohio

[bob]

While power edging, 2 years ago during drought conditions, I set the dried grass on fire. I was dancing on the flames until it went out. I left a 3' diameter circle of burnt lawn. Learned a lesson that day.

[cantoo]

During leaf season we had to keep a close eye on the muffler on our Walkers, leaves get stuck in the shield and start on fire easily. Never had a problem with grass other than it getting in there and smoldering and stinking bad.

[dmk395]

I had a belt heat up once, and of course lucky for me there was a small pile of dry, 3 month old grass lying under it. Guess what happened next, luckily though the grass fire was small and i just blew it out.

[mdb landscaping]

i was doing leaves one time with a fradan push blower. the muffler is located lower on the blower and i was near a pile a leaves and the muffler caught it on fire. i quickly jumped up and down on them till they went out, but is was a close call.