(Le Mars) — Four area fire departments consisting of six grass rig pick up trucks and two tankers responded to a grass field fire that started shortly after 4:00 p.m. Monday afternoon at 17674 Kesterel Avenue. The fire was located about a half mile northwest of West Le Mars, near Highway 3. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper says the fire started from a controlled brush pile that quickly got out of control when winds, blowing up to 35 mph, kicked up the embers. The fire burned about eight acres of corn stalks crossing over two terraces before fire fighters were able to get the blaze under control. Schipper says approximately 1800 gallons of water were used to kill the grass field fire. A neighboring farmer with a tractor and disk assisted fire fighters with extinguishing the blaze. Fortunately, the winds drove the fire away from a homestead residence, although, Schipper questions why people would want to burn when conditions are dry and winds are blowing up to 35 mph. Schipper says the burn ban may again be implemented until such time when more moisture is received. Fire fighters were on the scene for approximately 45 minutes.
