Field fires plague county

An “uzi” of a field fire kept the three county fire departments busy Thursday evening on Herbert Howell Road.

Linda Ireland

Buffalo, LaRue County and Magnolia firefighters responded to the scene of a large field fire on Herbert Howell Road Thursday.

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That’s how firefighter Lester Pearsall described the blaze that broke out in a harvested cornfield. Pearsall said at one point, the flames nearly trapped several firefighters as they tried to extinguish it. The fire also broke out in another field across the road.

Linda Grimes said her husband Coleman had combined the field two days earlier. He was working on another area of the farm about 4:30 p.m. and saw the flames when he drove by. The fire appeared to have started in the middle of the field, she said.

“It started in a small circle,” she said. The family quickly realized they would not be able to control the fire, she added.

Extremely dry weather and wind hampered the firefighter’s efforts and the flames spread into a wooded area. The Division of Forestry brought in a bulldozer to assist.

Four to five acres were scorched, according to Leon Grimes.

No injuries were reported, however, a truck owned by volunteer firefighter Terry Ovesen was severely damaged. Ovesen said he parked the F150 pickup in the field, 300 to 400 feet from the fireline. As he and other firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, “the wind kicked up” and fanned the flames behind him, eventually reaching the truck. The pickup had to be towed from the field.  

Firefighters are unsure what started the fire. LaRue County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Darst called the outbreak “suspicious” after conducting interviews. He will continue the investigation.

Other fire runs

Spratt Road

LaRue County Fire Department responded to a report of a field fire on Spratt Road about 3 p.m. Sept. 23. A combine caught fire and the flames spread to the field.

Glendale

Upton Fire Department responded to a report of a field fire Sunday about 3:15 p.m. near the 76 mile marker on Interstate 65.

Ninety-four acres were scorched.