Be Mindful of Field Fire Danger in Dry Harvest Conditions

Though a few areas saw slight disruptions by precipitation in the last week, it’s been a largely dry, windy harvest season in the Midwest. With a lot of dry crop residue blowing around and very little rainfall, running large machines like combines, tractors and trucks in the field can sometimes be a recipe for fire disaster when those machines and their hot-running combustion engines and other components like exhaust systems aren’t clean and well-maintained. The simple act of cleaning machinery in the field each day — farmers are increasingly using compressed air or leaf blowers — can prevent dust and residue from building up on or around mechanical components that could cause them to ignite. Hydraulic systems are also important to watch: any leaking or cracked lines in close proximity to heat sources can quickly create a fire. See more here.

Be Mindful of Field Fire Danger in Dry Harvest Conditions