By Aaron Schulze

Two combine fires in the northeast, farmers encouraged to check machines

Sep 30, 2020 | 3:37 PM

Melfort Fire and Rescue put out two combine fires in two days.

Both transpired north of Melfort. After the first combine caught fire on Sept. 24 it was backed on to a dirt road before a fire could spread. The second combine fire occurred Sept. 25 and resulted in a large grass fire.

Melfort Fire Chief Shaun Stewart said there a numerous ways for a combine to catch fire, including belt slips, bearings getting hot, and air filters getting plugged. He said the best preventative measure farmers can take is to spare a few minutes to check their machines.

“Just their normal, daily maintenance,” Stewart said. “Sometimes those bearings don’t have temperature gauges. Step out, have a good look around at your machine, then hop in and keep going.”

If a combine catches fire and the farmer is unable to extinguish the flames or control the fire on their own, Stewart encourages them to call 9-1-1 as soon as possible.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow