Controlled Burn Got Out of Control Wednesday Near Duff, Fire Officials Urge Caution When Burning

By: David Shepherd, News Director / Anchor

DUFF -- A controlled burned got out of control Wednesday in the Duff area.

“Responding units discovered a brush pile [that] had gotten out of control due to the wind and the ground cover that was in proximity to the brush pile,” explains Huntingburg Fire Investigator John Smith.  “The fire burned approximately 8 acres of ground cover.”

Luckily, no one was hurt and there was no building damage.

Smith says those who burn need to be aware of weather conditions and take steps to ensure a controlled burn, stays controlled.  “The ground in this area right now is covered with dry, dead vegetation. Although the ground may be soft, from a lot of rain and moisture,  under that or even frozen hard, the top cover is very tinder dry vegetation and its’ highly combustible.”

Smith says evaluate weather conditions before you burn.  If it’s windy and dry, consider burning at a different time.  Also, always contact dispatch before burning.

12 Huntingburg Firefighters responded to the blaze with 4 trucks.

They were on scene for about an hour and a half.