Combine fire spread quick

Cresco - Cresco Community Fire Department received report of a combine fire in a field one-half mile south of Hwy. 9 on Robin Avenue (Schley Road).  

Wayne Mlady of rural Cresco was operating a John Deere combine in what was standing corn from last fall when he noticed some operational issues and investigated. He realized the engine compartment area was full of fire.  

The fire from the combine ignited the standing corn, as well as the recently harvested stalks. The fire spread rapidly in the extremely windy conditions.  

The fire department’s concentration was on the rapidly progressing burning field to ensure it did not spread east of Robin Avenue to additional exposures, as the combine was lost at this time. 

The combine and about 35-40 acres (standing corn and harvested acres combined) were lost in the fire.  

Mutual Aid was requested from Lime Springs Fire and Protivin Fire for additional field fire equipment.  Additionally, nearby farmers brought in tractors with tillage equipment to assist in forming fire breaks.  Also assisting was the Cresco Fire Dispatch and Howard County Sheriff Deputy.