Grass Fire Spreads to Equipment on FM 1747; Skid Steer Destroyed

Photo Courtesy of Beech Grove VFD

BEECH GROVE, Texas — A grass fire sparked by a brush burn spread rapidly Tuesday afternoon, resulting in the total loss of heavy equipment and prompting a response from the Beech Grove Volunteer Fire Department.

According to BGVFD, crews were dispatched at 3:05 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, to a reported grass and equipment fire along FM 1747.

Upon arrival, firefighters found that a grass fire had already spread to a Caterpillar skid steer. While the homeowner had successfully extinguished the grass fire prior to BGVFD’s arrival, the skid steer was still actively burning.

Firefighters reported that extinguishing the equipment fire proved challenging due to multiple burning fluids within the machine. Despite the conditions, crews were able to fully extinguish the fire within approximately 10 minutes of arrival.

BGVFD officials stated the incident began when the homeowner was burning a brush pile and winds unexpectedly increased, allowing flames to spread quickly through freeze-dried grass. The skid steer was being used in an attempt to create a fire break around the spreading fire when the machine itself caught fire.

The homeowner attempted to extinguish the equipment, but the fire intensified rapidly and could not be controlled.

The skid steer was declared a total loss, while the grass fire burned less than one acre.

BGVFD responded with Brush 11, Tanker 12, and three firefighters. No injuries were reported.

Fire officials are reminding residents that winter conditions can leave vegetation extremely dry and volatile, even during cooler temperatures, and urge caution when conducting any outdoor burning.