Moderate to extreme fire danger sparks caution to farmers during harvest

BEATRICE, NEB. - It’s a busy time of year for farmers across Nebraska as harvest is in full swing in much of the state.

However, unseasonably warm and dry conditions present certain dangers and challenges. The National Weather Service has warned of fire danger, moderate to extreme, for much of the state.

“A lot of that is due to the lack of humidity, higher temperatures, and it was great we got rain last week, but we could have gotten a whole lot more.”

Beatrice Fire Chief Brian Daake says harvest can lead to increased chances of fire danger due to dust kicked up by machines, hitting a rock and causing a spark to ignite, and even machinery malfunctions. Daake talked about how to avoid such instances.

“Try to keep equipment clean as possible,” Daake said. “Make sure all maintenance is performed before they go out in the field and I’m sure most of them do that already.”

Daake says it’s not terribly common for fire danger warnings to happen in late fall, but notes it has happened before. When it comes to burning, he’s doubtful any should, or will, be taking place.

“The only way to do a burn is to get a burn permit from the local fire chief and I’d be surprised if anyone’s giving out burn permits right now.”