Harvester fire ignites farm field near Harriston
Volunteer firefighters responded to Oct. 21 blaze from Harriston, Mount Forest, Palmerston, Clifford
MINTO – Nora and Orvie Martin’s son and daughter did the best they could to tamp out the burning fodder.
Leaves, stalks and husks left over from harvesting corn had ignited on the top of the pull-type harvester on Oct. 21 due to a hot bearing, according to Nora.
The Martins' daughter, in a tractor pulling a wagon collecting corn beside the harvester, tried to extinguish the flames to no avail.
Their son hauled the harvester across the field to get near water as the burning fodder fell to the field below, igniting leftover stalks and some standing corn.
Nora told the Advertiser Orvie saw what was happening and used an extinguisher to put out the flames before spraying the equipment down with water.
A few acres of leftover corn, Nora said, was harvested on their 12th Line farm near Harriston later the same day.
The harvester has been salvaged, but will require rewiring, she added.
Tri Fire Services deputy fire chief Callise Loos said the Harriston station first responded to the emergency call at 2pm.
Mount Forest was dispatched for backup, followed by water tanker trucks from Palmerston and Clifford stations.
Loos said around 25 volunteers responded and no one was injured.
A utility terrain vehicle with a firehose and small water tank was used to attack hot spots in the Martins' field, and a trench was cut into the dirt, acting as a break to prevent the fire from spreading.
Fire crews cleared the scene shortly after 4pm.
Loos said there have been seven field fires this harvesting season in the department's catchment area.
According to advice from Tri Fire Services, farmers should clean and inspect equipment daily and carry an ABC fire extinguisher.
The fire service recommends calling 911 immediately in the event of a fire, keeping tillage equipment nearby for cutting fire breaks, and developing field access and emergency plans.
