(Jackson, Mn.)– Officials estimate more than 130 acres of grassland and one barn went up in flames Sunday in Jackson county as the result of controlled burns that got out of hand due to the very dry conditions.
The first blaze was reported around 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Richard Hample farm on the Iowa/Minnesota border. Fire departments from Jackson, Lakefield and Spirit Lake battled the blaze. One firefighter sustained a minor burn to his hand. It took firefighters about three hours to put it out.
Moments after being called to that blaze, firefighters were called to another one at a farm place two and-a-half miles south of Petersburg, Minnesota. The blaze burned an estimated 80 to 100 acres. Several trees and a barn were also destroyed. Fire departments from Jackson, Alpha, Superior and Spirit Lake battled that fire for about three hours. No injuries were reported.
Although no burning bans are in place yet, area Fire Chiefs are pleading with people not to do any burning until we get some rain.
The fire danger is expected to reach the very high category again today (Mon.) with warm temperatures and strong wind in the forecast.
