Small grass fires call fire department

    Two small grass fires within the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department’s district called out firefighters the past week.
    On Tuesday this week about 10:50 p.m., the IVFD responded to a small grass fire that started in a ditch along Avenue 336, east of Imperial and north of Highway 6.
    Fire Chief Doug Mitchell said the fire, whose cause is unknown, started in a ditch along the county road, and burned into some cedar trees and CRP grass.
    Less than an acre burned, he said, as the fire was doused quickly.
    Last Wednesday, a mid-morning fire call sent the IVFD south of Imperial, a couple miles into Dundy County, for another grass fire.
    Mitchell said it appeared someone backed into the guide wire supporting an electrical feeder pole in the pasture, causing the fire.
    The pole was snapped in half, he said. A crew with Southwest Public Power was already on the scene when the IVFD arrived and had shut off power, he said.
    Imperial’s quick attack units had it under control in about five minutes, About an acre and a half of grass burned, Mitchell estimated.
    The fire chief remains concerned with the “terribly dry” conditions in the area now.
    No burn permits are being issued until further notice, Mitchell said.
    He credited residents in the area for being careful, adding, “We’ve been lucky not to have more fires than we’ve had.”