3 area fire departments respond to a fire SE of Red Oak Thursday afternoon

News

February 26th, 2026 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, IA) – The Red Oak Fire Department reports crews from Red Oak, supplemented by automatic mutual aid from Stanton Fire and Rescue and the Elliott Volunteer Fire Department, responded a little before 4-p.m. today (Thursday), to the area of 210th St. and J Ave., southeast of Red Oak, for a controlled burn that had gotten out of control and was spreading toward a nearby timber.
Authorities say upon arrival, an estimated 20-25 acres of CRP ground, terraces, and multiple fence lines had already burned. The landowner was actively working to slow the fire with a tractor and disc. Crews were able to quickly contain the remaining fire and remained on scene for approximately one hour.
Fire officials said on social media, “Although temperatures have warmed, precipitation has been limited, and recent moisture has dried quickly. Vegetation remains very receptive to fire, creating continued elevated fire danger. Controlled burns can escalate rapidly without adequate planning and resources. If you have conducted a burn or have brush piles from recent days, please monitor them closely. Fire weather concerns will persist until we receive significant moisture.”
Other responding agencies included: