With several weekend fires that Greene County area fire departments responded to for controlled burns that got out of control, one official is urging caution moving forward.

Jefferson Fire Chief Jack Williams explains some of the main reasons why area fire departments had a busy weekend responding to several grass fire incidents.

“It’s basically, there’s just no humidity in the air. It’s so dry out that just one amber in the little bit of breeze that there might have been, started another fire down the way. Or it was just so much grass that once it got going they couldn’t stop it at the adjoining property line.”   

In total, Chief Williams says about 80 acres were burned from the six incidents that happened over the weekend. He advises some precautions for people still thinking about doing a controlled burn involving a material that is annually maintained.

“The biggest thing is, if you are burning switchgrass, try and disc around the perimeter, so you do have kind of a fire break to slow it up, if it does get there. Or wet it down really good around the perimeter, granted, that grass isn’t going to burn, but it’s a way to give you a break to slow or stop the fire.” 

Williams adds that people should not consider doing a controlled burn when the weather forecast calls for windy conditions and that if you need assistance, to contact your local fire department and they can be present for a donation or a fee. He points out that doing controlled burns this time of year is a rarity.

Williams also suggests calling the law enforcement center, so they are aware of when and where a controlled burn is going to take place. The non-emergency number is 515-386-2136.