Multiple crews battle field fires in western Iowa, Sunday afternoon

October 24th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Harrison and Montgomery Counties) – Multiple agencies battle field fires in western Iowa, Sunday afternoon. The flames were spread quickly by strong winds, and resulted in the voluntary evacuation of some residents, especially in Montgomery County, where a fire quickly went out of control and spread some three-to four miles before being brought under control at around 8:30-p.m.

Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Hamman reports “The Montgomery County Communications Center received multiple 9-1-1 calls at 4:47pm reporting a small ditch fire in the area of Highway 34 x A Ave. Mutual aid was requested immediately prior to any fire units arriving on scene due to wind conditions. Once fire crews arrived on scene, the fire grew rapidly and spread quickly north to adjoining fields. Several homes in the area were evacuated by law enforcement and mutual aid was again requested from numerous area fire departments.

Brian Hamman photo

Brian Hamman photo

Without the quick response of all of the first responders and area farmers who contributed with tractors and discs, this fire would have traveled for several more miles, consumed many more acres and endangered several homes and lives in the process. Thankfully, no homes were destroyed and only two minor injuries have been reported as a result of the fire. It is believed that the fire originated from a previous fire two weeks ago as a result of strong winds.”

Hamman said also, “Please note that there are several sections within the area that have trees and other debris burning. Numerous farmers continue to disc additional fire breaks to alleviate additional fire from spreading. The area will be monitored by fire and law enforcement overnight. It is believed that roughly 750 acres were consumed by fire (Sunday).

There were 18 Fire Departments (63 Fire/EMS Vehicles, 138 Personnel), 6 Law Enforcement Agencies (10 Officers) 3 Emergency Management Agencies (5 Emergency Management Coordinators) and 3 County Dispatch Agencies that assisted in the situation. (See the list of agencies below)

Mondamin, Iowa.

At around 1:15-p.m. Sunday, (October 23, 2022) Harrison County 911 received a call for a field on fire on 235th Street near Hamilin Ave southeast of Mondamin. Modale and Mondamin Fire departments were paged to the area. Due to volatile weather conditions and available fuels, the fire spread quickly. Mondamin fire requested mutual aid to assist with containment of the fire. Fire and rescue units and personnel from Little Sioux, Mondamin, Modale, Missouri Valley, Logan, Magnolia, Pisgah, Woodbine, Dunlap, Panama, Portsmouth, and Blencoe responded to contain the fire. The Harrison County Sheriff’s office, Missouri Valley Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Harrison County Emergency Management and Shelby County Emergency Management also responded to the area to assist. Multiple local farmers responded with tractors and disks to help contain fire. At approximately, 6:00 PM, the fire was determined to be under control and knocked down. There were no reported injuries or structures to have been damaged. At this time, a fire investigation and damage assessments are ongoing

Harrison County fire

Harrison County fire

A combine fire Saturday afternoon spread to stand field of corn, with Shelby and Harrison counties had fire departments respond to a combine fire that spread to standing corn. Shelby, Portsmouth and Persia were all assisted by some much appreciated tractor operators with discs.