07/31/2026
OVFR has had a busy week, responding to seven separate incidents.
On July 23 at 10:22 p.m., OVFR was dispatched to a small grass fire east of Highway 281 on 877th Road.
On July 25 at 9:54 a.m., OVFR responded to a grass fire at the old potato plant east of O'Neill on Old Highway 108.
Later that day, at 3:39 p.m., OVFR was dispatched to provide mutual aid to Atkinson Volunteer Fire & Rescue for a baler fire that spread into a grass fire near 482nd Avenue and 872nd Road.
On July 26 at 9:13 p.m., OVFR responded to a residence in O'Neill after a carbon monoxide alarm was activated. The investigation determined that a failed water heater had caused a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide inside the home.
On July 28 at 5:36 p.m., OVFR was dispatched to a baler fire near 489th Avenue and 870th Road. The fire destroyed both the baler and the tractor pulling it while spreading into the surrounding hayfield.
On July 29 at 10:27 a.m., OVFR responded to a field fire near 489th Avenue and 875th Road. The fire started during harvest operations and was contained to a windrow of harvested forage peas.
Yesterday, July 30, at 2:08 p.m., OVFR was dispatched to a tree fire in a grove near 496th Avenue and 867th Road. Lightning from an earlier storm had struck the tree, igniting the fire. The large cottonwood had to be cut down to fully extinguish the fire, providing our department's sawyers with valuable experience in a controlled, low-risk environment. As you can see from the photos, they enjoyed the opportunity to put their skills to work.
In addition to these incidents, OVFR has responded to three EMS calls in the last week.
