Grass fire near Cedar Rapids Prairie H.S. slows traffic

Northbound traffic near the airport slowed to a crawl on Saturday afternoon as firefighters worked to extinguish a brush fire just north of Prairie High School. A fire engine blocked one lane of the interstate for at least half an hour. Lots of gray smoke and a few flames were visible from the road but traffic was not in danger, authorities said.

Greg Buelow of the Cedar Rapids Fire Department said the department sent two fire engines, a tanker, and two brush trucks to the scene. Authorities are not sure what caused the fire but Buelow said it was not a controlled burn.

A few other grass fires have grown out of control in Eastern Iowa in the past week or so. Fire authorities in the area have warned that dry conditions and wind could contribute to grass fires. Area residents should take extra caution when burning things outdoors or when disposing of flammable material.