Large field fire Oct. 23 in the are of A Ave and Highway 34
The Montgomery County Communications Center received multiple 9-1-1 calls at 4:47pm reporting a small ditch fire in the area of Highway 34 x A Ave. Mutual aid was requested immediately prior to any fire units arriving on scene due to wind conditions. Once fire crews arrived on scene, the fire grew rapidly and spread quickly north to adjoining fields. Several homes in the area were evacuated by law enforcement and mutual aid was again requested from numerous area fire departments.
Without the quick response of all of the first responders and area farmers who contributed with tractors and discs, this fire would have traveled for several more miles, consumed many more acres and endangered several homes and lives in the process.
Thankfully, no homes were destroyed and only two minor injuries have been reported as a result of the fire. It is believed that the fire originated from a previous fire two weeks ago as a result of strong winds.
Please note that there are several sections within the area that have trees and other debris burning. Numerous farmers continue to disc additional fire breaks to alleviate additional fire from spreading. The area will be monitored by fire and law enforcement overnight. It is believed that roughly 750 acres were consumed by fire today.
18 Fire Departments (63 Fire/EMS Vehicles, 138 Personnel)
6 Law Enforcement Agencies (10 Officers)
3 Emergency Management Agencies (5 Emergency Management Coordinators)
3 County Dispatch Agencies
12+ Area Farmers w/ Tractor & Discs
Although, the weather was not in our favor today, the numbers speak volume and without everyone's help, this fire could have been much different. A very big thanks goes to everyone who assisted today!
Red Oak Fire Department
Stanton Fire and Rescue Department
Elliott FD
Grant FD
Emerson Volunteer Fire/Rescue Association Inc.
Hastings FD
Malvern Volunteer Fire Department
Oak Twp FD
Silver City FD
Henderson FD
Griswold Fire & Rescue
Lewis FD
Marne FD
Macedonia FD
Carson Fire and Rescue
Treynor Volunteer Fire Department
Oakland Fire and Rescue
Walnut Fire & Rescue
Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency
Mills County Emergency Management Agency
Pottawattamie County Emergency Management
Montgomery County 911
Mills County Communications
Pottawattamie County Communications
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office - Iowa
Red Oak Police Department
Mills County Sheriff's Office
Fremont County Sheriff's Office - Iowa
Cass County Sheriff's Office, Atlantic, IA
Iowa Department of Natural Resources