DONGOLA (WSIL)-- Wind was a big problem for firefighters Thursday. Multiple agencies from across the area responded to field fires and controlled burns that got out of control.
Firefighters spent hours on the scene of one fire in Union County.
The fires destroyed several buildings before heading into some trees.
Because of high winds in the area, any kind of spark can cause a lot of damage.
The Dongola fire is believed to have been started accidentally, when the owner of the building that burned was dumping ashes from their wood stove.
Five fire departments arrived to help put out the blaze, but the initial building was burned to the ground and a lot of damage was done to the neighboring greenhouse.
Anna Fire Chief Mike Dammerman says in order to make sure winds don't cause fires to get as large as this one, try to prevent them from starting in the first place.
"With theses things, don't have any outside fire, flame, in these windy conditions. Just don't burn. At this point like I said everything is so dry, it is very, very combustable. It takes just a very small spark or even a cigarette butt to end up having a field fire going or possibly burning down buildings."
The fire was reported by deer hunters, who say they smelled the smoke and rushed to find where it was coming from.
No one was hurt, but Judith Pedigo's packing shed was completely destroyed in the blaze.
Pedigo said when she first saw the smoke, she was alarmed but she did not expect to see how large the fire was.
"And I come around the corner there and I could not believe the size and the viciousness, just viciousness, the strength of the fire. And the wind," said Pedigo.
Pedigo also said she doesn't know what to do now, but she is glad everyone is safe.
