(KIWA Staff Photo)
Sioux Center, Iowa — Sioux County emergency responders are reminding people to call in their controlled burns.
A post from the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office on social media on Tuesday asked people if they are planning a controlled burn — to “Make The Call.” The statement said that it could save time, money, and resources.
It goes on to say you should call your county dispatch before you burn. In Sioux County, the number to call is 712-737-3307.
On Tuesday morning, in the 7:00 hour, firefighters from Sioux Center and Ireton were sent to a barn fire call. But when they arrived, they found out that it was an intentional, controlled burn, according to Sioux Center Fire Chief David Van Holland.
The post says that when you intend to light a fire, but don’t call it in, millions of dollars of equipment gets put on the road unnecessarily, and forty to fifty firefighters have to leave work and families and respond as if it were a real call, because as far as they know — it is. Ambulances are also sent to many fire calls, so they can’t respond to any other calls during that time either.
The sheriff’s office says the main issue is increased risk and delayed response for real emergencies.
So they say anytime you’re going to burn anything more than a barbecue grill or a camp fire, call it in. Help to keep our communities and responders safe.
