Fires pop up across Henry County

MT. PLEASANT — Over a four-day period from Oct. 17-20, Henry County First Responders worked together in response to more than half a dozen fire calls between Danville, Hillsboro, Mt. Pleasant, New London, Wayland, and Salem.

During harvest season, the risk of fire increases. Much of Eastern Iowa was placed under a Red Flag Warning by the National Weather Service, Thursday, Oct. 17 due to southern wind gusts between 25-25 miles per hour, low humidity levels, and dry crops across the state. With such conditions, any fires were significantly more likely to spread quickly.

“A fire can double in size in less than a minute,” Iowa State Extension Office states in material about fire safety during harvest season. “Burning embers blown downwind can easily spread a fire well beyond the control of your fire extinguishers in just seconds. So be aware of possible additional fires.”

Just before 8 a.m. Thursday Henry County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a structure fire at 1370 Ash Ave. in Wayland. Communication on the county scanner revealed the fire had fully engulfed a barn at the location. Wayland, Olds, Brighton and Mt. Pleasant fire departments responded to the call. Preliminary reports suggest a tractor caught fire inside of the barn located next to a home.

According to dispatch records, that same afternoon HCSO received another report of field/grass/timber fire at approximately 2:30 p.m. I the 3200 block of Van Buren Avenue in Hillsboro. Hillsboro and Salem fire departments responded to this call.

All remained quiet Friday, Oct. 18, but Saturday, Oct. 19 crews were at it again with four fire-related calls placed to 911.

Just after 8:30 a.m. New London Fire Department was placed on standby for a structure fie in the 3200 block of Racine Avenue in Danville. By 9 a.m. NLFD responded to the call to provide mutual aid.

Later that afternoon at approximately 4:30 p.m. Mt. Pleasant, New London, and West Burlington were called to the 2500 block of 305th Street in Danville to provide mutual aid for a structure fire which Jeff Van Amerongen described as “fully engulfed with explosions.” With the assistance of all departments, the fire was brought under control.

  Buy Photo

“We would like to thank, Danville Fire Department, West Point Fire Department, West Burlington Fire Department, and Mount Pleasant IA Fire Department for all your help with our House Fire last night,” New London Fire Department posted to social media the following day.

MPFD continued to answer calls Friday as they responded to a fire alarm call that evening in the 1400 block of East Linden Drive before heading to the 400 block of North Van Buren Street at approximately 6:30 p.m. for a field/grass/timber fire call. Olds Fire Department assisted with this last fire call Saturday night.

Many near the 1700 block of Graham Avenue, Mt. Pleasant could see smoke creeping up into the sky yet again Sunday afternoon. MPFD responded to this call around 2:14 p.m. with the assistance of Olds, Trenton, and Wayland fire departments.

  Buy Photo

“Thanks you to the members of the Wayland and Olds Fire Department for their assistance yesterday on a challenging structure fire,” MPFD posted to their own social media account Monday morning. “We would like to thank Henry County Emergency Medical Services and Trenton First responders for standing by and checking on the firefighters throughout the call.”

The busy work continued in Henry County as Salem Fire Department responded to a field/timber/grass fire call Sunday at approximately 4:30 p.m. with assistance from HCSO.

Final analysis for these calls is not yet available.

In consideration of the increased fire risk that comes with harvest season, Iowa State Extension Office offers some prevention steps and safety steps. Farmers are encouraged to take care of their machinery by keeping them clean of caked-on oil, grease, and crop residue. They should stay on top of maintenance of these machines as well by checking air filters and coolant and oil levels. Staying on top of repairs also will aid in preventing fires during a dry harvest season.

Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and be sure to check them throughout the year so they’re ready to go, if needed.

When wind speeds begin to reach close to 30 mph, ISU Extension suggests farmers should “consider delaying harvest until evening hours when winds decrease or wait for precipitation. Higher humidity levels may also reduce the potential for field fires to spread.”

In case of a fire, ISU Extension tells farmers to turn off their engines, get away from the machinery, and call 911. If safe to do so, they can then attack the fire with fire extinguishers, though they should stay on the side of the machine which has already burned.

Those working in the dry fields can also keep a list of 911 addresses relevant to their field locations. This will assist emergency crews in locating the fire more quickly.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com