(Red Oak) At 4:33 p.m. today, fire crews were finishing up a mutual aid response to a fire in the 1300 block of Lumber Avenue in rural Page County when Montgomery County Communications notified them of a reported ditch fire near 270th Street and O Avenue in Montgomery County.
Upon arrival, crews found several acres of CRP ground actively burning, with a large wall of fire spreading rapidly. The fire crossed a rural roadway and continued moving north into harvested cornfields and nearby pasture ground.
One residence to the east of the fire was advised that evacuation might become necessary if firefighters were unable to contain the blaze.
Crews worked to control the fire and were ultimately able to stop its spread after approximately 60 acres had burned.
Fortunately, several mutual aid departments were already nearby on Lumber Avenue, allowing them to respond quickly. Local farmers also assisted using agricultural equipment to help slow and stop the fire’s progression.
No injuries were reported. Fireground operations concluded at 6:24 p.m.
Assisting/Responding Agencies:
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Red Oak Fire Department
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Stanton Fire Department
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Villisca Fire Department
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Grant Fire Department
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Clarinda Fire Department
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Essex Fire Department
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Montgomery County EMA
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Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Deputies
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Montgomery County Communications
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Page County Communications
This information was provided on behalf of Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce.
