LOGAN COUNTY — A grass fire spread out of control Wednesday afternoon north of the co-op by Sterling, causing a tanker task force to be called to the scene. This grass fire caused the evacuation of several homes north of Sterling, Colo., Wednesday before several fire departments were able to get it under control.
A grass fire threatened this home north of Sterling, Colo., Wednesday, April 30 It has caused evacuations of homes north of Sterling and near Padroni.
The fire originally caused fire departments from Sterling, Peetz and Crook, as well as fire command in Padroni, to be called to the scene. The Merino fire department was called into Sterling to watch the city, and also assisted. The fire grew after that.
Firefighters worked to control the fire, yet it was unknown how many acres had burned. Some home evacuations were heard ordered over the police scanner.
The fire was estimated to be about 30 to 40 feet away from one home that had a half-full propane tank near it.
Sterling firefighters were dispatched to the fire around 2:15 p.m.
Sterling Emergency Manager Bob Owens said this was one of the fastest moving fires he had ever seen as the wind swept the fire across dry fields of grass.
At one point a small herd of deer could be seen fleeing across the field away from the smoke and flames.
At 3:10 p.m., the Crook Fire Department was asked to send a unit to the fire, too.
At 3:15 p.m., a call came out for a tanker task force, which involves using water trucks from most of fire departments in northeast Colorado.
At 4:35 p.m., Sterling Fire Chief Darrell Curtis said the fire was under control and crews will start mopping up the area.
This story is still developing.
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http://www.journal-advocate.com/articles/2008/04/30/news/local_news/local1.txt
