Firefighters put out grass fire at Veterans Park in Richfield

Firefighters were working to put out a brush fire Friday night at Veterans Park in Richfield.

According to the Richfield Fire Department (RFD), shortly before 9 p.m., the department received a call about a fire that had broken out in the northeast section of Veterans Park.

Traffic cameras show the fire causing traffic congestion on eastbound lanes of Highway 62 adjacent to the park near Portland Avenue. The area affected by the fire is predominantly wetlands, including a cattail marsh that encompasses approximately four acres.

The city’s firefighters responded quickly and contained the fire with the help of other fire service jurisdictions. The cause of the fire is unknown at this point and is under investigation.

“With the current red flag conditions affecting the area, a fire can start and spread very quickly,” said Fire Chief Mike Dobesh. “As a department, we were able to respond, assess the situation and deploy a plan that allowed us to limit the damage to the natural areas of the park.”

The RFD was supported in their effort by several mutual aid partners, including the Edina Fire Department, Bloomington Fire Department, Saint Louis Park Fire Department, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Fire Department, Hennepin County EMS, Richfield Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Patrol.

The park’s walking bridges, floating bridge, recreational buildings, playground equipment and other structures have all been spared from the fire, said the department.

The fire is contained and is being allowed to burn out under the supervision of the RFD.