Field fire erupts near Lansing; county-wide burning ban in effect

Published 1:19 pm Tuesday, September 11, 2012

A cornfield fire erupted near Lansing at about 11:05 a.m. Tuesday.

The Austin Fire Department and local firefighters extinguished the blaze after about 15 minutes, according to firefighter Tim Olson, and damage was contained to about two to three acres. Firefighters remained on scene well into the afternoon, however, to monitor the field.

A combine reportedly caused the fire just west of Lansing on County Highway 2 while farmers were picking corn; however, nobody was injured, and damage was limited to the front end of the combine.

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A county-wide burning ban is now in effect for Mower as high winds and dry conditions pose a threat.

Sheriff Terese Amazi discussed issuing a burning ban with the Department of Natural Resources and has done so today. The ban means all fires of any sort, including recreational campfires, are prohibited until there is measurable precipitation.