WFR was dispatched to a grass fire near 4th Ave and 54th St SW Monday afternoon.  When firefighters arrived on scene there was heavy smoke blowing across 4th Ave SW.  The fire was extinguished with two WFR wildland trucks and water tender support.  The owner of the property also used a tractor and plow to create a plowed line around the burnt area.  The fire started from a pile of tree stumps the owner had burned days ago.  The high winds cause it to ignite from a smoldering area deep in the pile.  There was no damage from the fire.  It burned off approximately one acre of grass land.  Fire crews were on scene for about one hour.

WFR would like to remind rural property owners to call in all control burns to Watertown Police Department, the phone number is 605-882-6210.  There is no burning within the city limits.  Please keep a watch on piles that have been burned in the last couple of days, the high winds can cause unexpected flare ups.  Also use caution for the next few weeks when conducting a control burn, last years grass is very dry and contributes to rapid fire spread.