Parts of Indiana and Ohio Under Special Weather Statement for Elevated Risk of Field Fires

An elevated risk for field fires will develop Tuesday in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio, which puts the areas under a Special Weather Statement from NWS.

According to the National Weather Service, field fires are easily started in warm, dry conditions.

As minimum relative humidity levels fall to between 30% and 40% by Tuesday afternoon, NWS predicted that south winds will reach between 15 and 25 mph, with wind gusts to 30 mph.

This will significantly increase the risk of fires spreading.

According to the NWS, there will be pronounced drying that will cause many fields to become extremely dry and increase the risk of fire with any ignition.

It is not advised to burn outside as the weather service announced, The Journal Gazette noted.

Special Weather Statement

Due to the increased risk of field fires on Tuesday, the National Weather Service Northern Indiana issued a Special Weather Statement at 4:43 AM on Monday, October 10, to the majority of Ohio and some areas of Indiana.

Tuesday will see a rise in the risk of field fires due to the warm and dry conditions that will be present.

Tuesday afternoon will bring breezy south winds with gusts up to 30 mph, significantly raising the risk of fires spreading.

Between 30 and 40%, relative humidity is reached.

Numerous fields will continue to dry out significantly, increasing the risk of a fire starting with any ignition.

Unharvested crop fields that already have dried out, as well as patches of dry grass and dead brush, all have the potential to catch fire.

Burning outside is not advised. Any fires that can start will probably spread quickly and probably get out of hand.

For a complete list of affected areas, visit the NWS website

Field Fires

According to Iowa State University, dry weather and high temperatures can produce tinder-dry crops and residue. Therefore, unintentional field fires are possible.

The fact that crops can become so dry during these fires that they can burn standing corn, soybeans, and even soybean stubble makes them noteworthy.

These fires raise concerns about possible losses of crop dry matter and nutrients.

According to Ohio State University's Agronomic Crops Network data, dry plant matter and grain dust are present throughout the harvest season and are highly combustible.

Sparks from an engine or hot machinery make excellent ignition sources.

Exhaust pipes and catalytic converters frequently reach temperatures of more than 1,000 °F. A field fire would start perfectly if there was some wind.

All laborers and transport drivers should be equipped to handle field fires.

As the first line of defense, all combines, grain trucks, tractors, and pick-ups ought to be furnished with a reliable fire extinguisher.

Combines should have a larger 20-pound extinguisher unit at the ground level and an ABC 10-pound extinguisher in the cab.

It is advised that trucks and tractors have an extinguisher on hand that weighs at least five pounds. Every vehicle used in the field needs to have one of these extinguishers.

Nothing is worse than trying to grab the fire extinguisher from the grain cart while the combine is on fire at the other end of the field. Each piece of equipment should have an extinguisher so that you are prepared to act when smoke first appears.