OTTAWA COUNTY—Rural fire crews were busy over in north central Kansas Friday and Saturday.
Just after 4:30p.m. Friday, Minneapolis Fire Department and Ottawa County Emergency Management responded to a combine fire north of Minneapolis, according to a social media report from Emergency Management.
Minneapolis units arrived to find the combine’s engine and driver’s cab fully involved with extension to one of the tires. Firefighters made quick work of this fire and prevented it from spreading to nearby dry vegetation.
On Saturday morning, crews from Minneapolis Fire Department, Minneapolis EMS, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, and Ottawa County Emergency Management responded to a large hay-stack fire. Firefighters were able to suppress the fire and contain burning hay to an area that poses very little risk of further fire spread. There were no injuries reported.
" Ottawa County Emergency Management reminded, "we are entering our fall fire season when vegetation is drying out, relative humidity drops, and wind speeds increase. Please exercise caution when working with heavy equipment, especially when using on or near dry vegetation."