While Nuckolls County was not included, many nearby counties were under a Red Flag Warning on Monday. Such warnings are issued by the National Weather Service when the expected weather conditions can lead to ideal wildland fire conditions. These exist when conditions are right for combustion or ignition of a wildfire and the rapid spread of the fire.
While the harvest season always increases the danger of fire, the danger has been increased by the lack of precipitation the last couple of months. On Monday the movement of a cold wave through the area brought gusty winds and low humidity.
The Nelson Volunteer Fire Department is among many area departments to repeat a request issued earlier this week by the York Fire Department. That request said, “During these dry conditions, we ask for your help in keeping farm equipment ready for field fires. A disc can be used to create a firebreak to save crop and property. Thank you to those who have helped in the past.”
The need for the farmers’ help was demonstrated south of Superior early Monday afternoon when the Superior and Hardy volunteer fire departments responded to hay bale fire.
Farmers with four tractors equipped with grapple forks aided the fire departments. The tractors were used to move the burning bales and spread them in a feedlot while the fire fighters kept the fire from spreading.
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