Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 5:48 PM:
Brush 50, Brush 51, Tender 50 and units from Station 40 responded to a fire in a combine in the Cache Junction area.
The farmer noticed smoke as he was cutting safflower and notified one of Newton's firefighters, requesting assistance. Dispatch was also contacted, sending alert tones to Newton and Smithfield stations.
Before fire department arrival the farmer had opened an access panel to investigate and received burns to the arm and face. He began to clear the burning material from the combine and when fire units arrived he assisted with suppression efforts until the fire was controlled, at which time he was treated by EMT's from Smithfield Fire but was not transported.
Extensive overhaul was completed and thankfully the combine was not damaged from the fire.
