SWISHER, Iowa — A controlled burn near Interstate 380 in Johnson County spread beyond its planned boundaries Tuesday, raising questions about fire safety amid high winds and nearby burn bans. Fire officials now say the burn was carefully planned, but still got out of control due to shifting wind conditions.
The Jefferson Monroe Fire Department oversaw the burn just west of the interstate near the southbound Swisher exit. The burn site was only 1.8 miles from the Linn County border, where a burn ban was in effect due to high winds. Fire Chief Bruce Sexton said the department took precautions, including consulting weather data and conducting a test burn, but the wind still caused the fire to spread.
“We were aware of the burn ban in Linn County, but this burn took place in Johnson County, where no restrictions were in effect,” Sexton said in a statement. “Other prescribed burns in the county that day went as planned, but unfortunately, the wind caused unexpected challenges in this case.”
The fire prompted a multi-agency response, and additional crews were called in to contain the flames. Sexton said the department is now reviewing the incident to identify improvements for future burns.
Controlled burns like this one help fund the department’s operations, which rely on donations and volunteer support…