Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, February 14, 2017
(MITCHELL) - An out of control trash fire burned between 8 to 9 acres Monday afternoon.
According to the Lawrence County Police log, firefighters were called to 1558 Motocross Road at 12:42 p.m. after a report that a control burn was spreading out of control.
Marion Volunteer Fire Department responded with 3 trucks: Squad 55, Squad 54 and Engine 51 and 5 firefighters.
Lt. Dan Horton could see the smoke as firefighters were leaving the station and immediately called for the next closest department's brush apparatus. Shawswick VFD responded with 1 firefighter and 1 tanker.
When firefighters arrived they found the fire had spread to a nearby field.
Lt. Horton determined more help was needed and summoned Orange County Rural District II, who responded with their brush truck, an ATV and six firefighters.
"Wind was a contributing factor in the rapid spread of the fire," Lt. Horton says.
Firefighters were on the scene until 2:47 p.m.
"Even though it has been raining and the ground is muddy, it doesn't take much wind for all the grass and brush to get dry enough to burn," says Marion VFD Chief Paul Gillespie. "If you are burning off a trash pile you need to be mindful of the conditions. High winds and dry brush will cause a fire to quickly get out of hand."
Chief Gillespie says all controlled burns need to have somebody watching them until they are fully extinguished and no remaining burning embers remain.
"We highly recommend having a water source close by while having a controlled burn," he added. "A garden hose will put out most trash pile fires if they would start to spread. Please remind the citizens to watch for any burn bans and to call in to the Sheriff's Department's dept non-emergency number and advise them that they are having a controlled burn."
The number is (812) 275-3316 and press 1 for dispatch. Should somebody see smoke and call in a trash fire, dispatch will have the location logged as a controlled burn and usually will not dispatch a fire department unless the original caller calls back on 911 to report that it has out of control.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.