The majority of the High Plains are in some level of drought as harvest remains in full swing. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that 37% of Nebraska’s corn production is affected by severe drought as of October 8. Currently, 100% of spring wheat production is being affected by severe drought.

Volunteer firefighter and AGCO sales manager Greg Mints said Nebraska has recently seen several good-sized fires that have been hard to stop due to high winds. He adds that tillage is often the best way to fight the fires, but that is not always a welcome solution in areas with widespread non-till adoption.

As a preventative measure, many are placing discs near fields in case a fire breaks out. Mints also reports that some farmers have attached sprayer tanks and pumps to their grain carts to have water ready in case of a combine fire.

Temperatures are expected to drop into the 60s next week. With this temperature change, it should help mitigate the fire risk.

Read more on the drought conditions in the High Plains here.