A wheat field is reportedly on fire at 9802 Simmons Road. Darien Fire Department is responding. The location is between Bennett and Richley roads.
UPDATE 3:08 p.m.: The Gator from Alexander is requested to the scene.
UPDATE 3:35 p.m.: Fire command reports that fire they are getting a handle on the fire, believed to have started by the heat from the catalytic converter on the owner's pickup truck, when the engine was running. The chief ordered the engine shut off of the Sheriff's patrol car on scene, so the fire would not reignite.
Corfu Fire Department is also on scene.
UPDATE 3:40 p.m.: They are dousing hot spots. Bennington Fire Department, which was called to provide mutual aid, is put back in service.
UPDATE 4:17 p.m.: All responders are back in service.
How in the hell are wheat
How in the hell are wheat fields catching on fire? It's not spontaneous combustion and I haven't seen any lightning strikes.
Wheat fires are common in the
Wheat fires are common in the Mid-west
Dry Straw + Hot Combine, Tractor or Baler = Constant risk of fire
And Spontaneous Combustion is quite possible if you have straw that was rained on and the sun dries the top.
In almost all cases wheat fires are directly related to harvest season
Catalytic converters are
Catalytic converters are suppose to have a metal shield covering them to prevent this sort of problem. I remember years ago, when they were first introduces, this was a stated concern.