A grass fire east of Fresno threatened but did not damage a handful of homes Sunday afternoon before firefighters got control of the flames. Four engines and two water tenders from Cal Fire/Fresno County Fire fought the three-acre blaze in a rural area north of Belmont Avenue and west of Fancher Avenue. Capt. Ryan Michaels said the fire started after a man used a riding lawnmower to clear brush on a field next to a house. The man apparently didn't see the fire, and firefighters were alerted only because a battalion chief happened to be driving by before things got out of hand, Michaels said. As it was, Michaels said, wind-pushed flames ran through several backyards and came within several feet of one home. Michaels said the fire highlights several important lessons: Check fresnobee.com for breaking news. Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHaT17NqecIrv2s_K68QnHw4xzsOg&url=http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/04/28/3277785/grass-fire-threatens-...