Northwest Iowa — Two northwest Iowa fire departments responded to calls recently that involved burning pit fires burning out of control.
According to Ashton Fire Chief Andy Gacke, in the 1 p.m. hour on Wednesday, May 24th, the Ashton Fire Department was called to the report of a brush fire at 4933 220th Street, five miles west and a mile north of Ashton.
The chief says the fire department saw heavy smoke from the tree line as they approached the scene. He says they used water to fight the fire, which began as a burn pit fire went out of control.
Gacke says no injuries were reported. He says there was no damage to speak of, and that the firefighters who responded were on the scene for about an hour.
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The Rock Rapids Fire Department was called out on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 for another burn pit out of control.
According to Rock Rapids Fire Chief Ed Reck, at about 2:45 p.m., the Rock Rapids Fire Department was called to the report of a field fire at 2907 180th Street, three miles south of the 9 and 75 junction in Rock Rapids and a mile and a half west.
The chief says a burn pile had gotten away from the person tending the fire. He says firefighters used water and foam to fight the fire.
Reck says no injuries were reported.
Chief Reck reports that there was no damage to anything of significance.
He says the firefighters who responded were on the scene for only a short time.
