Strong winds earlier this week caused an old burn pile to reignite southwest of Orange City, drawing a response from three area fire departments.
Orange City Fire Chief Dan Roghair says crews were called around 12:35 Tuesday afternoon to 3530 470th Street after smoke was spotted on a farmstead about a mile south and a mile and a half west of town. The fire started when gusty winds uncovered hot spots in a burn pile that hadn’t been touched in weeks, causing the debris to flare back to life.
Firefighters from Orange City, Alton, and Maurice responded, along with Orange City Ambulance personnel. The blaze was contained to the burn pile, and no injuries or property damage were reported. Crews were on scene for just over an hour.
Chief Roghair and Sioux County Emergency Management are reminding residents to check old burn sites and avoid burning on windy days, noting that hidden embers underground can reignite even weeks or months later during dry, breezy conditions.
The featured photo is courtesy of Sioux County Emergency Management. The story was completed in conjunction with KIWA Radio in Sheldon.
