Several local emergency responders have been busy with calls of local grass fires. Earlier this afternoon, Knoxville Rural Township Fire, Knoxville Fire and Rescue, Pella Rural Fire, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office have been fighting a grass fire in the 1000 Block of Highway S71 in rural Knoxville, which has consumed more than 10 acres of land. Multiple calls have been reported of grass fires over the past 48 hours. Pella Fire also responded to a ditch fire near the Old Otley School.

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a Fire Weather Watch, which is in effect from Thursday morning through Thursday afternoon. Sustained winds of 25 MPH and gusts up to 45 MPH are expected, with humidity expected to drop below 30 percent. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and outdoor burning is not recommended.

Regardless of the conditions, Pella Fire Chief Doug Van Gorkom says all controlled burns need to be reported to local dispatch centers — those near Pella should contact the Pella Police Department, and those in the rest of Marion County should contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.