A bearing went out on a combine sparking a fire on the south end of a bean field that quickly traveled north due to the windy conditions Saturday afternoon.
The field, owned by Clarice Preister, and farmed by son-inlaw Jim Noonan and grandson Chris Noonan, is on the southwest corner of U.S. Highway 81 and 460th St. The fire jumped 460th St. and onto ground owned by Mick and Nancy Bender. Luckily Bender’s uncombined test plot beans were spared and the only thing consumed on the north side of the road was stubble from beans that had already been combined.
Numerous firetrucks were present, fighting both the original fire and the hot spots to the north of the Bender residence. Tractors and discs were also used to turn up smoldering ground and form a fire break.
