BY Sarah smith
ssmith@parkrapidsenterprise.com
“Stupid is as stupid does,” was the comment of a frustrated Park Rapids fire chief Donn Hoffman as his department responded to two fires caused by careless acts Monday night.
Wild fires moved by stout winds continue to keep area fire departments scrambling. Nearly a dozen have been called out since the weekend to douse persnickety flames.
Friday night, Lake George Fire Department responded to flames south of town off County Road 4.
Saturday, three fires kept crews from Bemidji, Lake George, Lakeport, Solway, the DNR and Akeley busy.
In Fern Township, a vacant house burned to the ground. Lake George and Lakeport firefighters had to leave that fire to rush to Hendrickson Township, where a grass fire claimed a camper and outhouse.
In Akeley Township Saturday evening, a grass fire caused by a campfire sent Akeley firefighters rushing north to a fire that did not threaten any buildings.
In southern Hubbard County, callers reported smelling smoke, but authorities determined it was coming from Aldrich and Verndale, where a large grass fire was burning.
Verndale firefighters were called Saturday to put out a rekindled house fire that they’d been to the night before.
Monday afternoon, Lake George, Bemidji and the DNR responded to a fire east of County Road 3 in northern Hubbard County. One resident was evacuated from her house for safety reasons.
Monday night, Park Rapids firefighters responded to a fire off Western Avenue when some young people were likely using a cutting torch to remove the seat from a vehicle. It and another vehicle burned, along with about an acre of ground.
Another grass fire started shortly after that north of Park Rapids and was quickly contained.
Hoffman said the low humidity and temperatures aren’t really factors, and aren’t as bad as he’s seen in past years.
“Every one of them has been started by people,” he said of the fires.
Burning bans are in effect, but campfires are still allowed.
