City release (edited)
03/31/26
Cedar Rapids Firefighters responded to a grass fire reported in the 900 block of 44th St SE at approximately 5:00pm Monday.
The fire grew quickly and moved north and east into an area with mixed timber, brush, and grass. The Cedar Rapids Fire Department called for mutual aid from area departments with equipment designed for fires of this type. Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Ely, Solon, Martelle, Mt Vernon, Swisher, Springville, and Lisbon all responded and worked the fire across steep terrain with saws, hand tools and water supplies where vehicle access was possible.
At peak operations, there were approximately 50 people working the fire.
Rain around 8:00p.m. assisted in bringing the fire closer to contained around 8:40. Two homes were directly protected by fire crews until danger had passed.
As of 9:00p.m. crews were still on scene dealing with hotspots, trees that remained on fire, and preventing further spread.
An initial estimate of the fire size is 35 acres but that may change when daylight observation is possible.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.