Wallingford, IA (Northwestiowa.com) — Despite the fact it’s winter, and the fire bans in Northwest Iowa have all been lifted, the threat of grassfires remains. Wallingford Fire Chief Jarred Fischer reports a 45 acre blaze Saturday. The fire started as a controlled burn that got out of control.

Fischer says the fire on Burr Oak Road was quickly extinguished after the crew was called out around 2:30 in the afternoon. The Estherville Fire Department was called in as backup. Wallingford Ambulance and the Emmet County Sheriff’s Department also responded out of caution.