(Red Oak, Iowa) – A planned, controlled burn of old growth weeds and trees in Montgomery County, Tuesday, got out of control when the winds picked-up. Montgomery County Conservation officials said in a statement Wednesday, “A prescribed burn was conducted [Tuesday] on the northeast corner of the Anderson Conservation Area. Burn trails were mowed and raked, wet lines were laid, weather conditions were assessed, and all preliminary phone calls were made to inform emergency management and dispatch of our plans. A change in wind conditions turned a small 1-2 acre burn into 115 acres.”

Conservation officials said they were thankful for first responders from Red Oak, Stanton, Villisca, Grant, and Elliott, “Who acted fast and diligently to help us wrangle this fire. Drone footage was taken from the beginning, and provided a bird’s eye view the entire time.” Officials said “The fire managed to stay on our property and no damage was done,” and that although “…things didn’t go as planned, all that was burned was scheduled to be completed (at a much slower pace). It will be a real treat to watch the new growth emerge and continue restoration efforts on this land that holds a special place in the hearts of Montgomery County residents.” Additional assistance was received from Griswold Fire & Rescue, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Montgomery County 911.

Firefighters in Montgomery County, Thursday afternoon, responded to a rubbish fire that got out of control. The call about a blaze at 1912 D Avenue in Red Oak, went out at around 3:20-p.m.  According to Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce, arriving fire crews reported a grass fire spread to two dilapidated outbuildings, one of which had begun to burn on the exterior. Firefighters quickly knocked down the flames and extinguished the outbuilding.There were no injuries reported. Red Oak Fire received Mutual Aid from firefighters with the Emerson, Stanton and Elliott Fire Departments. Additional assistance came from the Montgomery Sheriff’s Office, and Montgomery County Communications.

Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency officials say Tuesday’s fire at Anderson Conservation Area shows how fire conditions can rapidly intensify and become uncontrollable in a very short amount of time, even when proper precautions and steps are taken beforehand. Extreme caution should be used for any prescribed/controlled burns until adequate moisture is received, as we move into Spring. “At this time, an open burn ban is not being discussed however conditions are being monitored heavily given record highs and limited to no precipitation.”