Four fire departments assisted in putting out a grass fire in Adair County Friday afternoon.

Menlo Fire and Rescue Captain Chris Sciarrotta says agencies were first called out at about 2 p.m. to respond to the blaze reported west Pinewood Avenue and 140th Street, about six miles south of Menlo. Sciarrotta estimates the fire consumed about six to seven acres of land, and it took about 45 minutes to extinguish it.

Strong winds and drier conditions in the last several days have had local fire agencies responding to uncontrolled fires, and Sciarrotta gives farmers advice for this time of year, “From a firefighter’s standpoint all I can say is I understand that as a farmer you want to get stuff burnt off but if it’s windy out please don’t. Not that we won’t come out and do it we will, that’s what we’re here for, but it makes it more challenging. Fire has its own wind we know that combined with 30-40 mile per hour sustained gusts or higher it can go so fast, so quick, next thing you know it’s out of control.”

Sciarrotta also urges those who plan on doing a controlled burn to contact their local dispatch center so they know ahead of time. He thanks all those who responded, and there were no injuries or property and equipment damage reported in Friday’s fire. Menlo Fire and Rescue, Stuart Fire and Rescue, and the Casey and Greenfield fire departments all assisted at the scene.