(Le Mars) — Two fire departments were called to two grass ditch fires along Highway 60, at nearly the same time on Wednesday afternoon. At approximately 3:35 p.m. the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department dispatched its pickup grass fire rig to a fire between mile markers 2 and 3 near the Seney exit. Meanwhile, further north about 7 miles, also on Highway 60, near the Carnes exit, the Alton Fire Department was called to fight a grass fire. The south fire had burnt an area about 60 yards by 30 yards. According to Quintin Van Es, the Alton Fire Chief, nearly the same amount of area had burnt on the north Highway 60 fire covered by the Alton Fire Department. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper isn’t certain what may have started the grass fires, but he believes both fires may be connected.
Schipper says it is possible a spark from a passing semi truck may have started both fires.
