And with harvest in Smith County virtually complete, she said, less field activity might be a good thing. But hay grinding and other on-farm activities also pose a risk, and farmers and ranchers will need to keep that in mind, she said. Greg Sinner, fire prevention officer for the Hastings Fire Department, said that while fires in town haven't been much of a problem so far, Hastings city and rural firefighters are among those who have been getting a workout responding to calls in the country. This time of year, as the first freezes occur, vegetation always dries out naturally, Sinner said. Factor in the lack of precipitation, and fire becomes a serious concern.
Conditions are right for a bad situation to develop.
The risk of fire in town is significant, and any leaf burning or any activity that could create heat or sparks needs to be undertaken with great care, he said. Lawn mowers being used to pick up leaves and wood stoves being fired up for the season are among the equipment that needs to be well-maintained. But the fire risk is even greater in the country, Sinner said, and a fire can start about anywhere and turn serious in a hurry. He encouraged farmers to think long and hard before doing any burning, and also to keep a close eye on farm implement bearings that could become overheated and ignite field debris. Hot mufflers or catalytic converters also pose a risk, especially when vehicles are being driven through grass.