Out of control fires ignite Union County burn ban

A countywide burn ban has been put into effect after Union County firefighters were put to the test this past week, responding to a high volume of fire calls. While the Creston Fire Department has several full-time firemen, they and the Afton Fire Department rely heavily on volunteers.

“Afton, they’ve been rock stars, but it’s kind of like here — It all depends on the day, who can leave work, who is available to come out,” CFD Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Stull said. “A few guys are there almost every time. They had good luck rotating people out. Our response has been hit or miss.”

The Union County burn ban is in effect until further notice. “[The length of the burn ban] depends on how much rain we get,” Stull said. “That’s going to be the main indicator.”

Two structure fires this week required mutual aid to extinguish. Saturday, Afton requested Creston’s aid at 10:15 a.m. for a structure fire on First Street in Shannon City. The homeowner reported the fire started in the chimney before moving to the attic. All occupants were able to safely evacuate.

Firefighters found flames through the roof upon arrival. As additional personnel arrived, the initial exterior attack transitioned to the interior. Firefighters were able to access the attic and extinguish the fire there. Afton and Creston began the extensive overhaul process of checking for hotspots and removing debris from the home.

Medic One from Greater Regional Health and the Union County Sheriff’s Office were on scene to assist. The home suffered severe damage. Though Creston was able to leave at noon, the Afton firefighters stayed on scene to continue the overhaul.

The day was just starting for the volunteer force as shortly after leaving the scene, they responded to several grass fires, again requesting CFD’s aid. Murray Fire Department joined Creston at a CRP grass fire on Unicorn Avenue. Afton responded to nine fire-related calls Saturday.

“There have been too many out of control prescribed fires,” Stull said. “There were over 10 in four days for the whole county. This little bit of rain I’m sure has already dried up.”

Monday afternoon, CFD responded to the report of a cornstalk field fire encompassing approximately 40 acres on Beechwood Avenue north of Creston. Afton responded to the mutual aid request.

Tuesday, the departments teamed up again for three additional grassfires in the county — one on 150th Street near Jaguar Avenue, one on Wolf Creek Drive north of Afton and another on Minnow Avenue near Arispe. The Lorimor Fire Department assisted Afton in an evening fire this week.

Wednesday, a fire that began as a prescribed burn ended in nearly 400 acres of pasture and cropland encompassed and an engulfed machine shed that became a complete loss.

The call came in at 2:28 p.m. for a fire at Clover Avenue and 120th Street rapidly approaching a building. By the time CFD’s Truck One and a Ranger arrived, the machine shed had already caught fire. Flames threatened a shed on the east side of the road while a junk pile behind it was fully engulfed.

Afton responded to the mutual aid request as well as departments from Orient, Greenfield, Prescott, Lenox and Corning. Greater Regional Health’s Medic One was on scene for standby medical support.

When conditions are ideal for wildfire combustion, red flag warnings are issued — warning the public against unnecessary burning. Even when not in red flag conditions, Stull recommends taking the proper preparation steps before igniting a prescribed fire.

Prescribed burns, also known as controlled burns, are fires set on purpose to accomplish certain goals. These fires burn at a relatively low temperature and they’re closely monitored and managed so they don’t get out of control.

Landowners should ensure they have an adequate water supply available if they plan on completing a prescribed burn. “A 15-gallon chemical sprayer is not sufficient enough to control a fire,” Stull said. “They should really invest in larger tanks and sprayer applications if they are going to be burning.”

Setting up fire breaks, using natural features such as streams or roads when possible, is another preparation step that should be taken before starting the controlled burn.

“Fire breaks will save them on the other end,” Stull said. " You always think about it when it’s too late.”

Stull also recommends using up-to-date weather apps or even calling the National Weather Service for a spot forecast. “They can give you the exact predicted weather for the day,” he said. “Give them a little bit of time to get it together, but that’s a good resource people don’t necessarily think of.”

For updated information on the status of the Union County burn ban, follow the Creston Fire Department or the Creston News Advertiser on Facebook.