Windy conditions didn’t help first responders from six different departments fight a field and timber fire in southern Guthrie County this afternoon.

Stuart Rescue Operations Director Jeff Howard says the blaze started in a rural corn field near the intersection of 330th Street and Ute Avenue in between Stuart and Menlo shortly before 2:30pm.

More than 40 firemen from Stuart Fire and Rescue and Adair, Casey, Dexter, Menlo and Panora fire departments fought 30-plus mile per hour winds in attempts to extinguish the flames.

Howard says the fire was “getting bigger and bigger” before crews were able to get the blaze under control after more than two hours on scene.

It is unclear at this time what may have caused the fire.

Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.