Three large wind-driven fires burned acres of brush and grass but never threatened any buildings.
The first fire began during the noon hour on Pine Avenue south of Odin in the Royal Lakes area. The brush and woods fire apparently started from an unattended brush fire and covered 15 to 20 acres being put out. High winds are blamed for the quick spread of the fire.
Odin Firemen called Salem, Sandoval, Centralia Fire Protection District, Centralia City, and Patoka Firemen to the scene. Firemen were on the scene for about two hours and were called back later in the afternoon for a rekindling.
While that fire was still being fought, Salem Firemen were called to the Greg McGee property at 2177 Charlton Road south of Salem where a fire burned across the rear of several properties. The cause of the fire is unknown. The windblown fire burned about 25 acres of brush and grass.
The fire alarm came in at 1:35 Friday afternoon. Firemen were on the scene until 4:30 pm. Iuka, Kell, and Orchardville provided mutual aid. United Medical Response also stood by, but there were no injuries.
The third fire was reported at 3:08 Friday afternoon in the Iuka Fire Protection District while Iuka was still assisting at Salem’s fire. The ground cover fire was reported on the Robert and Paula Fatheree property at 4153 Skillet Fork Road in Iuka. A controlled burn from the Gary Korte property had crossed the property line and became uncontrolled.
Investigation revealed the fire on the Korte property was set by Stice Forestry of Effingham as a prescribed burning of the underbrush in the wooded area. Windy conditions pushed the fire north to the Fatheree property and burned about nine acres before being brought under control.
Iuka Fire was aided at the scene by Orchardville, Kinmundy-Alma, and Kell Fire Districts. Fire crews remained on the scene for over two and a half hours to extinguish the remaining fire in the prescribed area to prevent further unwanted spread.
Iuka Fire would like to remind the public to be mindful of weather conditions and forecasts prior to burning outdoors.
Firemen plan strategy in fighting fire on Pine Avenue south of Odin on Friday afternoon. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
Smoke fills the air above a brush and grass fire on Pine Avenue in the Royal Lakes area south of Odin Friday afternoon. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
