Warm, dry harvest conditions increase risk of combine fires

  • A combine that is not periodically cleaned will have highly combustible material tucked into numerous places ready to become a fuel source for fire. (Photo courtesy of Kindred Fire Department)
    A combine that is not periodically cleaned will have highly combustible material tucked into numerous places ready to become a fuel source for fire. (Photo courtesy of Kindred Fire Department)

    Harvest is in full swing across North Dakota while weather conditions have been extremely warm and dry. North Dakota State University Extension farm and ranch safety coordinator, Angie Johnson, urges farmers to keep current on necessary maintenance and check conditions to prevent equipment failures and fires.

    According to the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN), the month of September…