Dozens of Trees Burn in Thursday Fire in Orondo

An Orondo home escaped damage Thursday afternoon around 2:00 pm when an agricultural burn got out of control in the 100 block of Weimer Road.

Kay McKellar with Douglas County Fire District 4 says fifty poplar trees were ablaze at one point, creating a safety hazard for firefighters due to the trees' 50 foot branches catching fire and falling.

"Chief Oatey reported the fire was less than a half acre in size." McKellar said, "They were working in the cold with snow on the ground as well as mud and water, making it difficult to attack the fire with all of those things working against them."

It took firefighters over two hours to knock down the half-acre fire.

McKellar added that had it not been for a quick response by the homeowner, a nearby house may also have been damaged. There were no injuries.