Wind, fire do not mix

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

OCEANA COUNTY — With the extremely windy conditions Sunday, April 12, local fire departments were dispatched to four separate grass fires within approximately one hour.

Hart Area Fire Department was dispatched to Harrison Road at about 4:30 p.m. for a grass fire. The caller stated that the fire was in a barrel and got out of control and that an approximate 2,500-square-foot area was ablaze with flames going uphill. Firefighters had difficulty immediately finding the location, because the caller was difficult to understand, according to Central Dispatch, and the exact address could not immediately be determined. Fire personnel reported to Central Dispatch that the fire was extinguished about a half hour after responding to the scene.

Hesperia Fire Department requested DNR assistance at a grass fire on 176th Avenue shortly after Hart was dispatched to the Harrison Road blaze. Hesperia cancelled the DNR call, stating the fire was about one-acre in size.

Shelby-Benona Fire Department was dispatched to a grass fire at about 5 p.m. at a residence on Woodrow Rd. near 88th Avenue. Shelby units reported that the fire was extinguished within approximately a half hour of the fire department’s arrival.

Just before 6 p.m., Grant Township Fire Department was requested to assist Muskegon County firefighters with a leaf fire at 8315 South 116th Avenue in Otto Township. Firefighters on scene reported that the fire, which was one-quarter acre in size, was extinguished in about a half hour. Fire personnel requested law enforcement, because it was an unauthorized burn.

Burning in Oceana County is currently not permitted by the DNR.

According the National Weather Service, which issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook alert, there is an elevated fire risk in the area due to the strong winds.