CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The grass fire near JP Luby Beach burned out by Sunday afternoon after it began Saturday night.
Nueces County Emergency Service District 2 Deputy Chief JP Hominick confirmed the cause of the fire was popping off fireworks in the dunes.
"The grass fire started on the beach. It was seen by others that fireworks that started it."
Laura Flagg and her boyfriend were camping on the beach when they witnessed the fire break out right after fireworks were popped in the area.
"We noticed a whole bunch of smoke rising up at the far end of the grassland over there and coming over there," Flagg said. "And I said, 'That looks pretty serious. I hope nobody got injured.'"
Flagg said she was relieved to see officials arrive on the scene fast as the fire was beginning to spread.
"Police and ambulance cars came over and they were there for a couple of hours clearing it out," Flagg said.
Hominick said this is a reminder to the community that even though our area is not currently under a burn ban, fireworks not popped in a proper place can start a blaze.
"Since the burn ban was lifted -- if people would -- the public is out there popping fireworks and having a good time -- just be aware of where they're at and what they're doing," Flagg said.
Nueces County Coastal Parks Director Scott Cross said the fire mostly burned county-owned land. He was glad firefighters let it burn itself out. Cross said it effectively acted like a controlled burn ahead of the July 4 holiday.
The fire initially closed Highway 361 Saturday night, but it reopened just after 8 a.m. Sunday.
The fire scorched at least 50 acres of land near JP Luby Surf Park, between Gulf Beach Road and Newport Pass Road, said Corpus Christi Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Billy Belyeu.
Corpus Christi Fire Department, along with Nueces County Emergency Services District No. 2 and Port Aransas fire crews responded to the fire. They mostly let the fire burn itself out.