Ulen, MN Grass Fire Flares Out of Control

by Kiersten Cooley, KVRR Reporter
July 22, 2012

A grass fire grows out of control around Ulen, Minnesota in Clay County, putting residents in danger of losing their homes.

 

Fire departments from several surrounding communities and counties were called in to fight this massive fire.

 

Smoke could be seen for miles Sunday afternoon.

 

At one point the fire stretched three quarters of a mile wide.

 

Gordon Fevig says he was burning garbage in a spot that's never been a problem before.

 

But dead grass from our hot and dry weather caught fire and quickly spread.

 

“I lit a match to burn some paper or some garbage. This is something we've done for several years and nothing has happened. But since it was so dry, I should've stayed out here and watched it, I guess, but it's been done so many times. I never realized it would get away from us,” Fevig said.

 

The fire moved away from Fevig's property and headed into CRP, or Conservation Reserve Program land.

 

The fire did destroy at least one structure.

 

But there were no injuries reported.

 

Firefighters were able to prevent another building from lighting up.

 

Clay County Sheriff Bill Bergquist said, “There was another farmstead we were told was in danger, but we were able to get here and put it out before it got to that has. So right now, they're out here in the woods trying to put away the fires in the woods.”

 

Crews were on scene for a few hours and eventually were able to get the fire under control.

 

Emergency medical workers were also on hand ready to help with any heat related issues.