Fire chief: Fire calls running well ahead of average year

The number of calls to the Linn County Rural Fire Department this year so far have been up nearly 60% more than last year at this time. (Journal file photo)

By Charlene Sims, info@linncountyjournal.com

MOUND CITY – Fire Chief Randy Hegwald’s reported to the Linn County Commission on Monday, March 24, that there had been 38 calls for the past week bringing the year-to-date totals to 201. Last year at this time the department was at 128 calls for the year.

The call breakdown for the past week was 15 wildfire calls, two vehicle fires, two rubbish fires, seven emergency medical service (EMS) assists, one electric line arcing, four smoke investigations, three calls that were dispatched but then canceled en route and four calls to fires where the people had not registered for a burn permit.  

Hegwald pointed out that so far in March the fire department has answered 123 calls. Last year at the end of March the fire department had 35 calls for the month of March. 

He said that last year was a pretty average year, but this year was above average.

Strong sustained winds, low humidity and dry grass and brush have contributed the number of fires over the past month.

Hegwald reminded the commissioners that on Wednesday night, the program on poisonous, venomous and other potentially hazardous biota presented by Jenn Rader from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The program is free and is at 6:30 p.m. at the Pleasanton Community Center.

He said that it was a very good program and was well attended last year. He said that because a lot of people had asked about the program, they had asked her back this year.