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Grass fires keep area crews scrambling
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MONROE - Several area grass fires sent dozens of firefighters into action Wednesday.

About 15 acres were destroyed by fire just before noon on Rufenacht Road, northwest of Monroe, according to Deputy Fire Chief Lane Heins, Monroe Fire Department.

The fire started by the house where residents were burning trash and got out of control, Heins said.

Browntown Fire Department were called for mutual aid.

Fire Chief Steve Isley, Juda Fire Department, said about 20 firefighters responded to County OK for a control burn that got out of hand. About 10 acres of grassland were burned and a small pile of tires in the quarry caught on fire.

"We were fortunate it was in the pit, so it was all (confined) right there," Isley said.

Firefighters were on the scene for an hour.

Isley said winds were not a problem Wednesday and the damp, early-spring ground kept the fire from spreading too quickly.

Green County Sheriff Jeff Skatrud noted area fire departments had been dispatched to extinguish at least five grass fires by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday:

- At about 11:40 a.m. to County Y and Rufenacht Road.

- At about 12:30 p.m. to the rock quarry at the intersection of Wisconsin 11/81 and County OK.

- At about 1:30 p.m. to Wis. 81 and Halfway Tree Road.

- At about 2:50 p.m. to Haddinger Road north of County Trunk P.

- At about 4:30 p.m. to Jordan Center Road north of Wis. 81 for a barn fire.

- Holly Ann Garey and Tere Dunlap