(Red Oak, IA) — As a result of multiple, large and out of control field fires, Montgomery County is implementing an Open Burn Ban for all of Montgomery County effective immediately. Numerous fires were reported on Friday as a direct result of Red Flag Conditions (Temperatures, High Winds & Low Relative Humidity) throughout the entire area. All fires originated from previously burnt brush piles from approximately 1-2 weeks ago, that had rekindled due to the strong sustained winds and eventually spread to dry adjoining grass and fields.
While conditions two weeks ago were conducive to light and burn brush piles, we have quickly dried out due to the extreme warm up this week. Regardless of issuing an Open Burn Ban yesterday, today or tomorrow, it would not have changed the outcome today due to the extreme weather conditions. This is why we stress the importance of monitoring these piles for several weeks after they have burnt or request that once they are burnt, to please bury them or put soil on top.
At one point, we had (4) active field fires within Montgomery County ongoing. They fielded numerous calls and answered all radio traffic without hesitation and with the upmost professionalism.
(1) At 11:30am, Montgomery Co EMA was notified of a wildfire detection via US National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska satellite radar in the area of US HWY 71 x US HWY 34. Montgomery County 911 received a 9-1-1 call shortly after reporting a field fire in the area of 220th x T Ave and fire departments were dispatched. The fire quickly grew out of control, jumped the road and was eventually contained with fire suppression units and tractors & discs. Crews were on scene for roughly 2 hours. An estimated 45 acres were burned, 1 minor injury reported.
(2) At 1:08pm, Montgomery County 911 received a report of a small field fire in the area of 230th x C Ave southwest of Red Oak. Fire crews from the initial fire were released and responded as well as surrounding county mutual aid partners. The fire was quickly contained by a tractor and disc and with the first arriving fire units. No injuries reported.
(3) At 2:01pm, Montgomery Co EMA was notified of another wildfire detection via US National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska satellite radar in the area of US HWY 48 x H Ave. Fire crews from the second fire were released and dispatched to the scene as well as additional mutual aid partners. Once initial crews arrived on scene, a fast-moving field fire was ongoing and additional out of county mutual aid resources were requested along with several area farmers with tractors & discs. Fire crews remained on scene for roughly 6 hours at this incident scene due to numerous piles of debris smoldering. A total of 150 acres burned, there was one minor injury reported.
(4) At 2:48pm, Montgomery Co EMA was notified of an additional wildfire detection via US National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska satellite radar in the area 110th x O Ave. Mutual aid crews responding to the HWY 48 x 110th fire were diverted and found an ongoing field fire in the area of 155th x Pine Ave. A tractor and disc was already deployed in the field assisting to create a fire break and out of county mutual aid partners were requested due to the large ongoing fire west of Elliott. Crews remained on scene for roughly 90 minutes. No injuries reported.
(5) At 3:18pm, Montgomery Co EMA was notified of an additional wildfire detection via US National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska satellite radar in the area of 270th and O Ave. Montgomery County 911 also took a call reporting this field fire and fire crews that were enroute to the previous fire were redirected and quickly contained the field fire with additional assistance from tractor & discs that were on scene or arrived shortly after. Crews were on scene for 1 hour. No injuries reported.
(6) At 3:38pm, Montgomery Co EMA was notified of an additional wildfire detection via US National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska via satellite radar in the area of 110th x C Ave. Smoke was quickly visible at the HWY 48 x 110th fire and out of county mutual aid was requested as there were no available fire units within Montgomery County due to numerous ongoing field fires. Some units were able to be released from the HWY 48 x 110th fire to aid the out of county mutual aid resources and additional tractor & discs were called or responded directly to the scene. Crews were on scene for 2 hours. No injuries reported.
