Departments team up to stop field fire

150 acres destroyed

    A large field fire charred more than 150 acres of farmland Monday afternoon, Oct. 10.
    The Clear Lake Fire Department responded to a report of a large field fire at the intersection of 310th Street and Cardinal Avenue.  The fire began racing through a big field of CRP at 12:19 p.m., endangering cattle and a residence.   A quick attack by local fire departments in the area contained the blaze and no property, other than the value of the

crops, were lost.
    The call originated with the Fertile fire district, but with the lack of daytime response personnel, other departments were called in for assistance.  Fertile, Hanlontown, Clear Lake, Ventura, Garner, the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department and local farmers all assisted in extinguishing the large blaze. 
    The terrain, consisting of hardwood bottomland, rolling hills with CRP, and standing corn made things interesting for the firefighters, according to CLFD Public Information Officer Billy Krefft. 
    “Steady breezes, coupled with the ultra-dry conditions made for a fast moving fire that took over three and one-half hours to completely surround and extinguish,” said Krefft.  
    Many forms of equipment, from tractors, tanker trucks, pumpers, brush trucks, ATV’s and hand crews, along with over 10,000 gallons of water were used in the fight.
    “It was a great coordinated effort. Thank you to all the departments and individuals for their help,” added Krefft.