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Grass fire blackens 20 acres; cause may have been cigarette, official says 

A grass fire Friday afternoon in Howard -- possibly caused by a discarded cigarette -- underscores the need for residents to use care during tinderbox-dry conditions, said Howard Fire Chief John O'Connor.

The 20-acre hillside fire along Brown County C near Pinecrest Road threatened one nearby home and was contained in about 20 minutes. The fire, which was near the edge of the road, was Howard's first grass fire of the year.

"People should never discard lit cigarettes any time, but especially now with fire danger high," O'Connor said.

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