With harvest season underway in the Redvers area, fire safety remains a top priority for farmers and motorists alike. Brad Hutton, fire chief for Redvers Fire and Rescue, shared practical advice to prevent field and equipment fires during this busy time of year.
“Some equipment is obviously gonna have big headers on it or squatters, and it'll just be slow-moving,” Hutton said. “Patience on the farmers' part and also just motorists using the highways is always a good thing.”
Hutton emphasized the importance of proper equipment maintenance. “A lot of simple fires start sometimes when bearings fail or sparks catch in dusty areas,” he explained. “Maintain it, grease it, check everything every day, blow out radiators, make sure fans are blowing good so your engine compartment stays clean.”
He also advised keeping fire extinguishers on hand. “Even your pressurized water extinguishers go a long way if there's a simple little bearing failure or dust started on fire on the side of the combine,” Hutton said. “Check your fire extinguishers daily, just in case somehow pressure got released or someone used it and didn’t tell you.”
Driving through fields presents additional risks, Hutton noted. “Avoid crossing over swaths or combine drop straw because that's the stuff that's going to flake up or catch,” he said. “Make sure trucks are always running when fueling equipment and keep them away from high-risk areas.”
He also cautioned about power lines around fields. “Depending on voltages in these high-line power lines, power can jump several feet,” Hutton said. “Maintain a safe distance when crossing and going under power lines, and pay attention when swinging unloading augers or setting up grain augers.”
Looking ahead, Hutton said the department is planning training opportunities for new recruits, including SCBA and level one fire training. “We're always looking at accident-type rescue courses as well,” he said. “Getting all the basic fire training for everybody is important.”
With a mix of dry and wet conditions this season, Hutton reminded everyone to stay vigilant. “All we can do is be patient and be mindful,” he said. “We don't want to get impatient and have an accident or cause a scene where it could be a danger to anybody.”