Eight departments respond to Dundy County grass fire

Twelve hundred acres burned in a Dundy County grass fire Monday afternoon, but two farmsteads that were threatened avoided any damage.
The fire started on Ambrosek grassland close to Road 726. Imperial Fire Chief Doug Mitchell said, at this time, it looks like a catalytic converter on a pickup may have started the fire while the driver was out checking cows.
Located in Dundy County, but in the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department district, the first call went out at 12:45 p.m. and a second call followed an hour or two later, seeking more IVFD help.
The fire moved south and slightly east, also burning some circles of irrigated grass, before being put out six miles later along Road 720.
Mitchell credited the departments at the scene for doing an excellent job protecting the Joe and Judy Lutz home on Road 725. Several trucks were sent to the home’s location to assure the fire remained at bay.
Besides Imperial, other fire departments from Lamar, Benkelman, Haigler and Wauneta in Nebraska; as well as, Holyoke, Colorado and Yuma County departments from Wray and Wauneta, Colorado sent fire trucks, other units and personnel to the scene.
Farmers with tractors and discs, in addition to back burning by the fire departments, also kept the fire from reaching the home of Shane Eversole.
Mitchell said the fire moved quicker than expected and appreciated extra tanker trucks from Chase County and several area businesses. A total of 39 trucks/tankers and 81 firefighters responded for a total of 494 man hours.
In all, the perimeter around the burned area was in the neighborhood of 12 miles. It’s believed the fire had burned for awhile before being reported.
“Everyone did a good job,” Mitchell said.
“That’s the way those fires get put out, calling all those people in,” Mitchell added.
Imperial firefighters were called back to the scene later Monday when a passerby in that area reported smoke being seen.
Mitchell said they found only a yucca plant burning. He said the entire area was checked out and was under control.