Indiana Correspondent

In southern Indiana, leaves are falling prematurely. Grass has turned sharp to the touch and brown. Creeks have long ago dried up and whole trees are dying.

The hot, dry summer is taking a toll on the land. The dryness now presents another problem – wildfires.

South central Indiana is considered in a severe drought; whereas the eastern and western regions of south Indiana are in an extreme drought. The lack of rainfall coupled with falling leaves and dry grasses increase chances of fires.

Several counties have issued open fire bans. These counties include: Bartholomew, Dearborn, Franklin, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Lawrence, Morgan, Posey, Scott, Shelby, Warrick, and Washington.

The ban specifications and consequences of violation vary by county. To know what is allowed and banned, contact a local fire department.

Charlie Keller is the state wildland fire coordinator. He is comparing much of this year’s drought to the summer of 1999. During that drought there were several fires of 400-600 acres of land. “It is extremely dry,” said Keller. “Any amount of heat can quickly cause a fire.”

Keller said the standing crop fields are potential places for wildfires. Field moisture is less than 5 percent.

He knows many farmers keep a running tractor with a disk at the field while harvesting. This way if a fire strikes up due to the heat of the combine or the other tractor, the farmer can quickly try to contain it.

Keller also encourages homeowners to keep leaves, dried shrubs, and mulch away from homes. Cigarettes and even the ash from cigarettes can ignite a fire.

The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts the drought to be ongoing with some improvement through November. Though the typical fall fire season starts in mid-October, southern Indiana’s fire season started mid-August.

There are several things to do to prevent a wildfire during drought. Here are a few tips:

•Catalytic converters in vehicles get very hot; don’t park over grass or leaves.

•Don’t throw cigarettes, ashes, or other smoking materials from your car or on the ground.

•Chainsaws, portable generators, all-terrain vehicles and off-road vehicles should have spark arrestors if used near grass.

•Farmers harvesting crops should be cautious of overheated machinery, which can start fires quickly.

•Homeowners should clear brush and tall grass from around building foundations, and make sure the roof and gutters are clear of leaves and debris.

Barrels used for burning debris should be covered with a mesh screen and be monitored during burning. An ample water supply should be available nearby.

This farm news was published in the Sept. 26, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.