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A fire destroyed approximately 58 acres of corn north of Brandon on Sunday, Oct. 22.

Fire near Venango destroys nearly 60 acres of corn

A fire six miles north of Brandon destroyed approximately 58 acres of irrigated corn on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 22. 

According to Venango Fire Chief Steve Tucker, a row unit on a combine overheated which ignited the cornstalks. The driver attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher but was unsuccessful. 

Assisting Venango were Grant, Ogallala and Brule fire departments. 

Because of the windy conditions at the start of the fire, it spread across two standing irrigated corn fields. Responding personnel caught a break when the winds began to die down and slowed the spread of the fire. Two tractors with discs assisted the fire departments to help with a barrier around the burning corn. 

Tucker said they fought the fire for about two hours. 

“The crews did a great job getting it stopped before it got to the sprinklers,” said Tucker. “Standing corn field fires are very challenging and burn very hot.”

 

The Grant Tribune-Sentinel

308-352-4311 (Phone)

PO Box 67
327 Central Ave in Grant
Grant NE 69140