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Much of the state is still experiencing drought-like conditions and that dry weather creates a high threat for fire. Firefighters in Douglas County are urging people to comply with the local burn ban. The chief of the Ponca Hills Volunteer Fire Department says it’s just a bad time of year when it comes to fires. And he says farmers out in the fields for harvest season need to be aware of that risk and take precautions.Farmers are surrounded by dead weeds, grasses and dry crops as they make their way through their fields this time of year.But their harvest plans could go up in flames quickly. “On a day like today, you know, out in the open, fire can travel across the field very fast,” said Chief Joel Sacks.Ponca Hills Volunteer Fire Chief Joel Sacks says all it takes is a spark from the equipment for a field to burn. But he says farmers do the best they can during a ban. “They maintain their equipment. They clean it out regularly. And because the dust is so heavy from beans and especially soybeans, they know to clean their equipment out,” said Sacks. Of course, it’s not just farmers who need to stay cautious. “I know it’s fire pit and campfire season and that, and it’s just not a good idea to do it right now,” Sacks said. Sacks says Ponca Hills saw some wet weather this summer and it’s making things more dangerous now during the drought. “So there is a lot more fuel or vegetation that can ignite and cause a fire,” Sacks said. Sacks says it’ll take more than one rainfall to drop the existing burn ban. “You know, people will say, well, it rained last night. Why can’t I burn? It’s too dry. And, you know, and really until you get some snow cover, it’s just a bad idea to burn,” said Sacks.
Much of the state is still experiencing drought-like conditions and that dry weather creates a high threat for fire.
Firefighters in Douglas County are urging people to comply with the local burn ban.
The chief of the Ponca Hills Volunteer Fire Department says it’s just a bad time of year when it comes to fires.
And he says farmers out in the fields for harvest season need to be aware of that risk and take precautions.
Farmers are surrounded by dead weeds, grasses and dry crops as they make their way through their fields this time of year.
But their harvest plans could go up in flames quickly.
“On a day like today, you know, out in the open, fire can travel across the field very fast,” said Chief Joel Sacks.
Ponca Hills Volunteer Fire Chief Joel Sacks says all it takes is a spark from the equipment for a field to burn.
But he says farmers do the best they can during a ban.
“They maintain their equipment. They clean it out regularly. And because the dust is so heavy from beans and especially soybeans, they know to clean their equipment out,” said Sacks.
Of course, it’s not just farmers who need to stay cautious.
“I know it’s fire pit and campfire season and that, and it’s just not a good idea to do it right now,” Sacks said.
Sacks says Ponca Hills saw some wet weather this summer and it’s making things more dangerous now during the drought.
“So there is a lot more fuel or vegetation that can ignite and cause a fire,” Sacks said.
Sacks says it’ll take more than one rainfall to drop the existing burn ban.
“You know, people will say, well, it rained last night. Why can’t I burn? It’s too dry. And, you know, and really until you get some snow cover, it’s just a bad idea to burn,” said Sacks.
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