Enterprise Staff
The Plainfield Fire Protection District responded to a report of a brush fire just before noon Sept. 27.
A Plainfield farmer called 9-1-1 to advise that as he was harvesting his soybean field he could see flames from a brush fire near the intersection of County Line Road and Wheeler Road, according to the fire district.
The wind-driven fire burned numerous acres of soybeans and corn, and also caught the farmer’s combine on fire.
The fire response was upgraded to a full-still alarm at 12:24 p.m., which brought in additional help from nearby fire departments and fire districts. At 12:52 p.m., the response was upgraded to a box alarm bringing in additional help.
Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire by 1:53 p.m., protecting barns and a house that were in the path of the wind-driven fire.
Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the barns and house and there were no injuries.
Assisting the Plainfield Fire Protection District with fighting the fire were
The Lockport, Troy, Minooka, Oswego and Channahon fire protection districts assisted Plainfield in fighting the blaze. The Bolingbrook and Romeoville fire departments assisted the Plainfield Fire Protection District with station coverage.
As field vegetation dries up, fire officials reminded residents that the fall season poses a higher risk for brush fires.
To help prevent brush fires, farmers are urged to not burn landscape waste on windy, dry days, and always dispose of cigarettes and cigars properly.
Additionally, make sure recreational fires, barbeque grills, candles and torches are completely extinguished.
Keep grass and weeds cut and clear of tall dry grassy areas, and trim trees and shrubs of dead or low hanging branches.
Homeowners should not stack firewood next to their house or any other structure, and make sure they do not allow leaves or needles to build up on roofs or in gutters.
Lastly, residents are reminded not to have any open flames on days that the National Weather Service issues a red flag warning for the Plainfield area.