Grass fire burns 100 acres years ago
Combine dry, brown grass with 40 mph winds and a stubborn hay bale, and you've got a recipe for a potentially destructive fire.
Such was the case the afternoon of March 15 west of Hillsboro.
Hillsboro fire crews were called to a hay bale fire the evening of March 13. The bale was accidentally set on fire at 180th and Goldenrod.
Embers were simmering and got stirred up again two days later when strong, gusty southwest winds blew.
Five fire departments responded the second time at 12:45 p.m. March 15 to a grass fire out of control.
Within a matter of minutes, the fire jumped 180th and continued a northeast path of smoke and flames.
"We were determined not to let the fire cross 190th," said Ben Steketee, fire chief of Hillsboro Fire Department, and it didn't.
The residents of one house near the path of the quickly-burning fire were evacuated.
The home of Randy Claassen near 180th and Goldenrod and just north of the origin of the fire, was evacuated and the family was allowed to return by late Wednesday afternoon when the fire was under control.
Persistence and firefighters' watchful eyes kept the fire at bay, never getting any closer than 300 yards from the home. But it could have been different.
"If the wind had been a few degrees to the east or west, there would have been homes directly in the path of the fire," said Steketee.
Six hours later, it appeared the fire was out and the crews went home. About 90 minutes later, out they all went again.
"It was a problematic-type of fire," said Steketee. Large tree trunks were smoldering and the wind continued to rekindle the embers, requiring firefighters to return and douse again.
By 8:30 p.m., firefighters returned home after a weary afternoon.
"I'm glad things turned out the way they did," said Steketee.
In all, 100 acres were burned but no loss of structures. He attributed the success to quick and decisive action of the Hillsboro Fire Department and assistance from neighboring departments.
"Winds were a big problem," Steketee said. Cultivated fields and green wheat crops helped the firefighters by stopping or at least slowing down progression of the blaze.
In addition to firefighters, Steketee appreciated assistance from others.
Ag Service of Hillsboro provided a water truck, Hillsboro EMS was on standby, Hillsboro Police Department and Marion County Sheriff's Department provided traffic control, and McDonald's of Hillsboro provided food.
