High winds from Monday’s storm caused an illegal burn at 1490 W. Drahner Road to get out of control.
Oxford firefighters were called to the scene at 4:02 p.m. to extinguish a giant burn pit containing assorted tree limbs and brush.
According to Fire Chief Jack LeRoy, the homeowner’s son was attempting to burn the pile “a little at a time” when high winds caused the flames to spread over the entire pile.
The chief estimated the burn pile to be 50 feet in diameter and three or four feet in height.
The blaze was extinguished by firefighters within a few minutes of their arrival.
LeRoy said although the homeowner possessed a general burn permit, the township’s burn season ended May 15.
The season usually ends the last day of April, however, the township board extended it this year to aid residents cleaning up debris from the April ice storms.
LeRoy said the responsible party will be charged for the labor and equipment deployed to extinguish the illegal burn.
Fire Administrative Assistant Margie Payne said the homeowner’s son will be charged “a little over $400.”