UNION COUNTY, Iowa — A grass fire burned several acres of land slated as part of a conservation project outside of Creston on Friday afternoon.

The Creston Fire Department says that shortly after 1:36 p.m. they were called to a grass fire happening on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land, located southwest of Creston.

One truck was dispatched to access the field, and an engine was sent to provide additional water support. Authorities say that the fire spread across approximately five acres before it was successfully contained about an hour later around 2:30 p.m.

Fire crews say the farmer had created a buffer strip along a harvested bean field adjacent to the land, however the fire had managed to reach some hay bales. Authorities say the farmer was able to move and separate the bales to minimize the damage.

Authorities say the fire is believed to have started from a previous burn pile that rekindled due to winds, which then aided in quickly spreading the blaze.

The Conservation Reserve Program is a voluntary project which encourages farmers and landowners to convert highly erodible and sensitive acreage to vegetative cover. Participants in CRP receive monthly payments and assistance to establish long-term care. The USDA says the program helps improve water quality, controls soil erosion, and enhances wildlife habitat in the long-term.