Deputy Chief 6 / Brad Russum responded directly to the scene and was first arriving. He found a fully involved (100% burning) combine harvester on fire. It was being used to harvest winter wheat. The fire had extended (spread to) the field. He initially reported 10 – 15+ acres involved. Because of the dry fuel conditions and a strong breeze, the fire was quickly growing. To beef up the responding resources, he first requested a 2nd Alarm, followed by a special call for a Brush Task Force. This special call adds brush trucks and engines to the incident. The intended use of an engine is to establish a water supply. As it turned out, there was a nearby farm pond, which we made quick use of. An engine was assigned there to draft water to support firefighting operations. This engine can be seen in several photographs.

The fire was burning through cut wheat stubble and standing, yet to be cut wheat. As mutual aid resources began arriving, we were able to get a perimeter around the fire and contain it. The column of smoke produced by this fire was impressive and could be seen for a long distance.

According to our older Life Members, 40 – 50+ years ago, this type and size fire was a regular occurrence, occurring almost every week during planting and harvesting seasons. Through the decades, the quality of farm equipment (mostly the source of those fires) has steadily improved. Today, we rarely see a large natural cover fire like this.

After the smoke cleared, it’s estimated a total of 20 acres of wheat stubble, and 2 acres of standing, unharvested wheat was burned. The combine harvester was a total loss.

We take a moment to recognize the companies that transferred to our fire station while we were committed to this fire. We had three Engine Tankers covering our first due area in case of another emergency incident. They came from the Queenstown VFC, Grasonville VFC, and Centreville VFC. Transfers are a routine, but mundane assignment, but are critically important and invaluable.

There were no injuries because of this fire.

Photographs are by the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company, and the generosity of Alyssa Apple, Joanna Bainbridge Blackburn, Paul Hanley, Jr, and Ryder Schnaithmann. Media may use these photographs with attribution. For the media, we make this special request, If you use one of the photographs provided by one of the private contributors, please credit that photo to them. Attribution for each photograph may be found on the individual photograph page.

Fire companies dispatched and operating at this incident:

Chestertown VFC

Rock Hall VFC

Kennedyville VFC

Betterton VFC

Community Fire Company of Millington

Galena VFC

Church Hill VFC

Crumpton VFC

Sudlersville VFC

Centreville VFC

Queenstown VFC

Grasonville VFC

Kent & Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad

Kent County EMS