With Guthrie and Adair Counties still in a burn ban, there are tips from a fire fighter’s perspective that residents should know.

Stuart Fire Fighter Corey Pline says that with the conditions that cause a burn ban, field fires can be especially dangerous. He mentions that dust and the byproducts of harvesting corn and soybeans can get into areas of equipment where moving parts can cause a spark, and easily catch on fire. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio that many farmers have a fire extinguisher on hand, and use them when possible, but that if fires get too large, there is something else that many will do.

“They will unhook their combine and pull away. That way the tractor doesn’t catch on fire. And then just call your local fire department immediately because what’s important to us is that they are out of there safely. And then we will get on scene and get the combine put out and get the grass fire under control because that’s our job. So we want to make sure that everybody is safely away from the fire.”

Pline mentions that outside of field fires, brush fires can start when individuals are burning trash or have an open flame. He adds that with a burn ban, residents must get a permit from the chief of their local fire district before they can have a controlled burn, which should be in a covered pit or a burn barrel.