Firefighters Battle Flames in Dry Lake Bed

Tools

By Liz Blood

Story Created: Nov 23, 2012 at 4:09 PM CDT

Story Updated: Nov 23, 2012 at 4:09 PM CDT

BRITT, Iowa (AP) — Firefighters have been battling flames in the dry lake bed at Eagle Lake, which sits northeast of Britt in north-central Iowa.

Firefighters from Britt and Garner returned Thursday after being called out twice overnight.

Lynn Davis and Lois Whipple told Mason City television station KIMT that flames came within feet of their house.

Area resident Matt Anderson says firefighters devised a fire break on the west side of the lake bed to protect homes and cabins. No structures were damaged.

Britt Fire Chief Pat Trulson told the Mason City Globe Gazette that the lake bed is dry because of the drought and has become a peat bog that will keep burning for weeks. Trulson says passers-by will be seeing smoke in the area.

The fire cause is being investigated.

Next Article Victims in Outback Attack Speak Out

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.

read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Crime, sexual abuse, property fires, automobile accidents, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.