Great Falls Fire Rescue responded to two “significant” grass fires on Nov. 11 that ignited within minutes of each other.

The first grass fire was reported at 11:32 a.m. and was spotted just south of the Great Falls city limits on 13th Street South near Country Home Lane.

The fire burned a significant amount of acreage, but the total has not yet been determined, according to GFFR.

GFFR responds to two fires this week, bringing year’s total to 29

The fire spread quickly due to the windy conditions but didn’t damage any of the nearby homes and structures, according to GFFR.

GFFR requested assistance from multiple mutual aid partners due to the size and scope of the fire.

Those partners included fire departments from the Montana Air National Guard, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Sand Coulee, Black Eagle, Gore Hill and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

“Without their quick responses and assistance, this fire could have been devastating and could still be burning. The cause of this fire is currently under investigation; however, it does not appear to be criminal in nature,” according to GFFR.

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As GFFR was working to call back firefighters to fight the first fire, a second grass fire was reported at 12:16 p.m., just off I-15 at 1618 13th Ave. S.W.

The MANG Fire Department had been requested to backfill GFFR Station 4 during the first fire, they were the closest crew to the second fire and arrived on scene to find the grass fire had entered a vacant house.

The MANG crew was able to access the house and contain the fire by the time GFFR crews arrived on scene.

The fire caused minor exterior damage to the vacant house and damaged surrounding vegetation.

The cause was determined to be accidental, likely caused by a spark from a trailer or vehicle driving on the interstate, according to GFFR.