Busy day fighting grass fires, Saturday

News

February 1st, 2026 by Ric Hanson

(Southwest Iowa) – Area firefighters kept busy Saturday afternoon battling grass and at least one structure fire. The Anita Fire Department was called to assist in fighting a grass fire that was spreading to an adjacent field, Saturday. And, the Creston Fire Department responded to the first of three grass fires on January 31st, at around 1:5-p.m.
The Avoca Fire Department responded at around 1-p.m. Saturday to a garage fire. The structure was not attached to the residence, though. The Walnut, Harlan and Shelby Fire Departments were requested and responded with mutual aid in the form of additional equipment and personnel. The blaze occurred in the 1100 block of N. Frost Avenue, in Avoca.

Photo from the Avoca FD Facebook page.

Officials with the CFD say that initial fire was located on 130th St, west of Beechwood Avenue. Due to the size and intensity of the blaze, additional resources were required, prompting a response from the Afton Volunteer Fire Department, Prescott Fire & Rescue, and Orient Volunteer Fire Departments for mutual aid. Approximately 36 acres were burned in this incident.
(Photos by Chuck Spindler w/the CFD)
As that fire was being brought under control, fire officials say a second grass fire was reported at 3:21 p.m. on Juniper Rd, east of Joshua Ave. The Afton Volunteer Fire Department responded to this call while Creston was still engaged with the first fire.
They quickly contained the fire, which was less than one acre in size, and completed their assignment by the time Creston arrived on the scene.
A third grass fire was reported at 4:48 p.m. on 12 Mile Lake Rd. Once again, the Afton Volunteer Fire Department responded to the mutual aid request. They arrived first on the scene and successfully extinguished the flames before Creston arrived.