Wisconsin Firefighters Injured Fighting Grass Fire

RIVER FALLS, Wis. - Three volunteer firefighters were taken to hospitals after they were injured battling a grass fire in Pierce County.

The most seriously injured firefighter was flown by helicopter to Regions Hospital in St. Paul where he was listed in good condition.

Elmwood fire officials say the two other firefighters were taken to River Falls Area Hospital, treated and released following Wednesday night's fire.

Pierce County sheriff's chief deputy Neil Gulbranson tells the St. Paul Pioneer Press that there have been numerous grass fires in western Wisconsin lately, but this one was the largest.
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Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press, http://www.twincities.com

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on April 2, 2010 at 12:04pm

It has been a very dry March, no snowfall in my area and very little rain. There is some dead and dry vegetation from the winter and conditions are prone right now for vegetation fires.

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Permalink Reply by John Carder on April 2, 2010 at 2:58pm

There is a tremendous tendency to underestimate grass fires. Because the fuel has such a high ratio of surface area to volume with tall grass, the speed of a grass fire can be spectacular, especially when you add in a slope or a bit of wind. In my opinion, they're more dangerous than forest fires, partly because they are not taken seriously enough.