DECATUR COUNTY — Fall brings harvest season, but this year’s dry conditions are raising the risk of field fires.
John Hammersmith, a Greensburg firefighter who also works on his family farm, explained the stakes.
“They spend all year, they spend a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears,” Hammersmith said. “Making sure the crops grow to feed America. To see that go up in a matter of seconds in flames, that can be heartbreaking.”
Despite a brief rain last week, drought conditions have worsened across Indiana for two consecutive weeks, with 93% of the state experiencing some level of drought.
“The dry weather does mean farmers have plenty of time to work their fields, but they have their guard up,” Hammersmith said. “We’ll slowly see that elevated risk for fires. Brush fires really ramp up here in the next couple of weeks.”
While dry fields don’t guarantee a fire, farmers and firefighters are taking precautions. Farmers can reduce risks by preventing machinery from sparking or overheating, while firefighters stay ready to respond quickly.
Hammersmith demonstrated just how fast fire can spread. At the Greensburg Fire Station, firefighters set a small cluster of cornstalks ablaze. Within seconds, the entire cluster was engulfed, sending ash flying.
“When we measure fires, we measure it in seconds, because it can double in size every 20 to 30 seconds,” Hammersmith said. “So time really does matter.”
Curtis Lewis, Assistant Chief, noted that real fires require significant effort, especially since each shift already handles four to five calls. Major field fires, like the 2009 County Line Fire, can involve multiple departments and fuel trucks to support firefighting efforts.
During extensive fires, crews take precautions to avoid overheating and exhaustion. Lewis is currently reviewing training with his team to ensure readiness for emergencies.
Recent fires show how easily a spark can ignite a field.
“Throwing cigarettes out of your vehicle is a big thing,” Lewis said. “We’ve had one fire in the last two weeks caused due to that.” He also warned against burning trash on dry, windy days.
Firefighters use specialized brush trucks—smaller than standard fire engines with large tires to navigate fields. These trucks carry water and can refill from ponds or other sources, as hydrants are often unavailable in rural areas.
While field fires can’t be completely prevented, firefighters urge residents to take steps to reduce risks this fall.
“To get to see the firefighter side of it, and have family in the farming business, it really puts it into perspective of what field fires can do,” Hammersmith concluded.
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