Rock Valley, Iowa — Sioux County fire departments responded to some fire calls recently.
Several corn stalk bales were destroyed in a fire on Friday, March 11, 2016 near Rock Valley.
According to Rock Valley Fire Chief Brent Eshuis, about 3:00 PM, the Rock Valley Fire Department was called to the report of a round bale fire at Grant Post’s place at 2798 310th Street, about two and a half miles east of Rock Valley near the intersection of K42 and Highway 18.
The chief says the fire department saw a number of round cornstalk bales on fire as they approached the scene. He says they used water and the farmer took the bales out in the field and pulled them apart with a payloader to fight the fire.
He says they kept a couple of buildings from starting on fire. A shed and a hog building were sprayed down and kept cool.
Eshuis says there were no reports of injury.
The Hull Fire Department assisted the Rock Valley Department with a full response and the Doon Fire Department also assisted with a tanker.
He says the cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.
Chief Eshuis estimates that between 40-60 bales were destroyed.
He says crews were on scene for three hours.
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The Rock Valley Fire Department also responded to a field fire on Saturday, March 12, 2016 near Rock Valley.
According to Rock Valley Fire Assistant Chief Heath Wallenburg, about 1:10 PM, the Rock Valley Fire Department was called to the report of field fire near 2616 305th Street, just east of the city limits on B14.
The chief says the fire department saw a field of cornstalks on fire as they approached the scene. He says they used grass rigs and tankers to fight the 30-acre fire, and received some help from a local farmer with a disk.
Assistant Chief Wallenburg reports that there were no injuries to people, pets, or livestock.
He says the cause of the fire appeared to have been a leaf and stick fire that got out of control.
Assistant Chief Wallenburg reports that there was no real damage to anything but the corn stalks.
He says crews were on scene for 30 minutes.
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In addition, the Boyden Fire Department was also called out on Friday in the 3 PM hour. They were called to 3420 Kennedy Avenue, which is the same place they were called to on March 1st.
Fire Chief Chris Starkenburg reports that they were called out to put out some wind-generated flare-ups from the original fire. He says there is no further information available regarding the investigation into that fire.
