Sheldon, Iowa — An out-of-control ditch fire Saturday morning required two area fire departments to bring it under control.
A ditch fire that billowed smoke across Highway 60, north of Sheldon Saturday morning required two area fire departments to extinguish it.
According to Sheldon Assistant Fire Chief Brad Hindt, Sheldon Fire was paged out shortly after 10:00 Saaturday morning for a ditch fire along Highway 60 between 310th Street and Highway 18 (320th Street).
On arrival, Hindt says firefighters found a fast-moving ditch on fire the east side of the highway reducing the visibility to near zero at times and had a large ditch fire along 310th, east of Highway 60. The first Engine attacked the fire long the highway while the second truck work on the fire along 310th St .
While fighting the ditch fire, Hindt says the blaze spread into the corn fields near Highway 60, in the field spreading toward Nettle Avenue. At that time , Hindt says Sheldon Fire asked for a tanker truck and grass rig from the Sanborn Fire Department.
Firefighters also sought assistance from a farmer, who brought a tractor and disk and disked a fire-break into the field to help stop the spread of the flames, according to Hindt.
About 20 firefighters responded to the call and used about 7000 gallons of water to bring the fire under control. Sheldon Fire was assisted by O’Brien County Sheriff Office and Sanborn Fire, according to Hindt.
Assistant Sheldon Fire Chief Brad Hindt asks that you PLEASE USE CAUTION when doing ANY type of open burning, have an ample supply of water, farm equipment like a tractor and disk and check the forecast BEFORE YOU BURN. He says conditions right now are VERY dry!!
Photos courtesy of the Sheldon Fire Company
