Slew of crop fires prompts warning on P.E.I.
CBC News
Posted: Aug 9, 2012 7:37 PM AT
Last Updated: Aug 9, 2012 7:58 PM AT
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Several crop fires over the last two days have prompted P.E.I.'s deputy fire chief to issue a warning for people to be extra careful during the dry weather.
Fire crews across the province have responded to seven crop fires since Saturday, six of those in the last two days alone.
Deputy Fire Marshal Robert Arsenault says many of the field fires can be started by machinery.
"Farmers are working in their fields either combining or baling straw and what is happening, is happening behind them. They're moving forward with their equipment, what happens behind them they don't always see right away," Arsenault said.
"What happens is something malfunctions whether it's a spark from an electrical malfunction. That stuff falls down and falls into basically our very, very dry conditions."
This has been the driest June and July since 1965.
Fred Dollar, of Kentdale Organic produce, says he is hoping for rain, both for his crop and for his safety.
"If you're operating older combines, which I do, it (doesn't) really matter how you pre-service them, there's always a possibility of a bearing going and when that bearing goes it heats up and it can start a fire, especially when things are so dry," Dollar said.
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