Firefighters contained a controlled burn that got out of control Sunday afternoon, south of Hawarden.
According to Hawarden Fire Department Fire Chief Payne Allen, crews were called at about 1:20 p.m. on Sunday, February 15th, to 4910 Buchanan Avenue, roughly four miles south of Hawarden’s east side, after a ditch-burning spread beyond its intended area.
When firefighters arrived, Allen says they found both a ditch and a nearby field burning. Crews were able to prevent the flames from reaching any structures and quickly extinguished the fire with assistance from local farmers using disks to cut firebreaks.
Allen reports the fire burned about two acres of pasture and two acres of field. No injuries were reported, and firefighters remained on scene for about an hour.
The Ireton Fire Department assisted Hawarden crews under an automatic aid agreement.
Allen says the fire started when a ditch fire got out of control. While there is currently no burn ban in place, he urges caution due to dry conditions.
“A little common sense goes a long way,” Allen said. “If it’s windy out, don’t light your burn barrel.”
He recommends avoiding open burning until the area receives significant precipitation, noting that dry conditions can allow fires to spread quickly.
Similar Brush Fire Reported Near Alvord
A similar incident was reported on Friday afternoon near Alvord.
According to the Alvord Fire Department, crews were called at about 1:45 p.m. to 2027 Garfield Avenue, approximately three miles east and three-quarters of a mile north of Alvord.
Fire Chief Tanner Van Middendorp says about a half-acre burned through a grove. Firefighters also had to cut down a tree that had caught fire. No injuries were reported in that incident.
Fire officials say both fires serve as reminders of how quickly controlled burns can spread in dry and windy conditions.
This story is courtesy of fellow Community First Broadcasting station KIWA Radio
