(Red Oak, Iowa) – Officials with the Red Oak Fire Department report a little before 1-p.m., today (Tuesday), the Montgomery County 911 center was notified by Pottawattamie County 911, about a combine fire in the area of 490th x Pioneer Trail in rural southeast Pott County, within the Elliott Fire District.

Red Oak FD and Elliott FD were paged and while enroute, Griswold Fire & Rescue was requested for mutual aid due to smoke being visible from Red Oak of the fire. Additional support was requested from area farmers with tractors and discs due to high winds and an apparent ongoing fast-moving fire. (Red Oak FD Facebook photos)

Fire crews arrived on scene and found approximately 4-5 acres on fire, spreading moderately to the east with the wind into a waterway containing two large brush piles that were now on fire. Additional mutual aid was requested from Macedonia Volunteer Fire Department and Carson Fire and Rescue for water tankers due to the size of brush piles actively on fire. The field fire was quickly contained with on scene units as well as the use of tractors and discs who helped contain the fire as well as contain spot fires that flared up due to the wind. Stanton Fire and Rescue Department was requested for tanker support but cancelled as additional units arrived on scene.

The landowner was working with a contractor to bury and place soil on top of the brush piles and will continue to monitor the area until complete. No injuries reported. It is believed that a hot ember or spark ignited dry vegetation while the combine was in operation. Crews were on scene for roughly 2 hours.

MCEMA Drone Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0kTe2kzOBc&feature=youtu.be

Assisting agencies:

Montgomery County 911
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office – Red Oak, Iowa
Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency
Elliott Volunteer Fire Department
Griswold Fire & Rescue
Macedonia Volunteer Fire Department
Carson Fire and Rescue
Stanton Fire and Rescue Department