DALLAS COUNTY, Iowa — A controlled burn turned into a 100-acre grassfire Sunday afternoon outside Adel.

According to the Adel Fire Department, shortly after 2 p.m. crews were called to the 200 block of 330th Street, south of Adel, on reports of controlled burn that had spread.

Crews arrived to find dozens of acres on fire and requested help from surrounding agencies including Dallas Center, DeSoto, Dexter, Earlham, Redfield, and Van Mater. UTV’s, brush trucks and tenders were called in to attack the fire.

Crews quickly moved to contain the fire from spreading east, protecting an area of timber. Over 100 acres were burned during the fire, at this time no injuries or structure damage have been reported.

Adel FD Captain Tim Morlan says controlled burns commonly get out of hand in the spring and fall due to dry conditions and high winds. Morlan says before burns precautions should be taken.

“Just make sure that if you are going to do a large-scale burn like this, make sure you’ve got a good perimeter with fire breaks around it,” said Morlan. “As soon as the wind picks up, and you never know when the wind will go up, it’ll pick up for a just a minute and you lose control.”

Morlan says mowed areas are common fire breaks that work well in farm areas. Adel FD reminds residents that while the ground may be moist, wind dries grass quickly.