FAIRMONT, Minn. (AP) - Fire departments in southern Minnesota
had their hands full as gusty winds whipped up fires through dried
corn and soybean fields.
At least a half-dozen field fires were reported early Thursday
afternoon in Martin County.
Acting Fairmont Fire Chief Doug Borchardt tells the Sentinel
that the dry conditions, the windy day and the farmers out in the
field "made for a perfect storm."
One blaze destroyed two chicken coops and a grain bin. But
Borchardt says firefighters were able to keep the house from going
up in flames.
Smoke from the fires was so thick that it cut visibility on some
roads. At least two accidents were attributed to people driving by
the fires to look or having their vision impaired by smoke.
