PEIAs the dry conditions across P.E.I. persist some Island farmers are showing some concern when it comes to harvesting their crops.Farmers reminded to be fire-safe, carry safety equipment and keep machines cleanRyan McKellop · CBC News · Posted: Aug 12, 2025 5:57 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoBlaine Diamond said he feels apprehensive about going out into the fields on these bone-dry days. (Tony Davis/CBC)As bone-dry conditions persist across Prince Edward Island, some farmers are taking extra precautions when it comes to harvesting their crops.Large pieces of machinery such as grain combines are crucial to efficiently harvesting a large crop, but they can potentially lead to fires if parts get too hot or start to throw off sparks.Blaine Diamond of Diamondale Farms in Winsloe said it feels different to be climbing into his combine these days.”I’m kind of apprehensive about going into the field when it’s so hot, because you know accidents can happen, and especially when it’s so hot,” he said.”Through the years we’ve had some baler fires, just with bearings, but we have not lost any equipment.”As an extra precaution, he said they have fire extinguishers on hand and sometimes bring a water truck in the field with them, just in case of a flare-up. He also goes over his gear with a leaf blower to get rid of straw particles and dust that could encourage ignition.The Kensington Fire Department’s Facebook page posted this photo of a burned field on Monday, saying: ‘The farmers were well-prepared and acted quickly, using their water truck while calling 911 for support. Despite their swift response and all precautions in place, the fire spread rapidly, burning a large portion of the field and a nearby tree line.’ (Kensington Fire Department/Facebook)Diamond said fires can happen fast, and can spread very quickly.”A lot of the time you’re looking ahead, and a lot of the issues might be behind you,” he added.”It depends on the wind. The wind could take a flame in the opposite direction and you might not see it ’til you’ve turned around and seen that maybe straw was on fire behind you. So it can happen very quickly.”Safety reminders being givenDiamond said a representative from the Workers Compensation Board made a visit to his farm recently to remind farmers about the conditions.Harvesters urged to take measures to reduce fire risk as they bring in the crops on P.E.I.The Prince Edward Island government is warning farmers to be careful while harvesting with large pieces of machinery in these hot days of August. Combines and other farm equipment can easily cause straw to ignite, and that has Island farmers taking precautions. CBC’s Tony Davis has more. “He was just visiting some farms and just kind of making sure that people had fire extinguishers on board and just mentioning the fires that they did have the last couple of days,” he said.Other advice: “Just try to be a little more vigilant and make sure your combine is clean… especially around the engine.”Neil Campbell, the general manager of the P.E.I. Grain Elevator Corporation, said taking extra precautions makes sense when it comes to reaping the reward of a good growing season.”The winter wheat ripened really quick. We had a cool June and May, lots of rain, so that crop was absolutely fantastic, but lots of straw behind it,” he said.Neil Campbell, general manager of the P.E.I. Grain Elevator Corporation, says this year’s crops have been doing well, but operations could be at risk if fires break out in the dry conditions. (Tony Davis/CBC)”The concern now, of course, is you’re baling that straw. Make sure the bearings are cool on your baler and make sure you don’t cause a fire at that stage.” Fire isn’t the only risk these dry and hot days, Campbell added. “There’s the equipment and then there’s the staff, and the staff is encouraged to find shade as much as possible… [and] drink lots of water. Other than that, we’re not doing anything more than we need to on these hot days.”ABOUT THE AUTHORRyan McKellop is a graduate of the Holland College Journalism program and a web writer at CBC P.E.I.With files from Tony Davis
Dry conditions are top of mind for Island farmers ready to harvest at a dangerous time
