News

Fall drought has farmers worried about winds & fire risks

The National Weather Service says dry conditions, high winds, and low humidity are leading to an increased fire risk across much of the Midwest.

Illinois farmer Andrew Newberg, who’s dealt with equipment fires in the past, says it’s been a concern much of the fall.

“But they say, you know, the flames can jump roads on really windy days.”  He says, “We’re getting ready to head into another really windy 40 plus mile per hour wind. It’s just really, really difficult. The wind’s been something we’ve battled with it seems like increasingly more often.”

In fact, he tells Brownfield the operation’s new grain cart has a 250-gallon water tank on board as a fire safety measure.

“It proved to be, I guess, peace of mind.”  He says, “Maybe, if anything, of how fast things can get away from you and, you know, the cart is right there with the combine all times. You can see if you’re dropping anything, or catching stalks on fire, and in the whole scheme of what we paid for the machine it wasn’t an incredible amount extra.”

Newberg says having fire extinguishers handy, and taking time to clean machinery is also important.

“We carry around leaf blowers with us and we do some regular blowing of under panels and that kind of thing.”  He says, “We try to take some of those hot spots and keep them clean.”

Portions of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska are under National Weather Service Red Flag Warnings through Tuesday night.

AUDIO: Andrew Newberg – Illinois farmer

Photo: Andrew Newberg