Combine fires can be devastating, often resulting in the total loss of a vehicle and causing hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of property damage, says Purdue University farm safety expert Bill Field. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Winger/Winger Farms)
Widespread drought, dry, and windy conditions…. All of these factors are leading to fire safety concerns. Couple the dry conditions with the reported shortage of volunteer fire fighters in rural areas, and this becomes a real concern for the rural community.
Another non-farm related concern for the farm fields relates to the actions of the general public. When persons throw out their cigarette butts into ditches and fields – or when persons burn trash or tree limbs from storm debris – there can be a risk for field fires.
State Fire Marshal Orders Ban on Open Burning for Certain Ohio Regions
In response to extremely dry conditions in various areas of the state, Ohio Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon has ordered a regional Ban on Open Burning effective immediately. The ban impacts any county in Ohio identified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as being in the “Extreme Drought” or “Exceptional Drought” categories as identified by the United States Drought Monitoring System.
The Ban on Open Burning ordered on September 6, 2024, includes the following Ohio counties: Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Fairfield, Fayette, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton, and Washington.
Examples of outdoor activities prohibited by this order in the ban area include the following: lighting or maintaining an fire of any type at any location, smoking (including cigarettes or similar devices, and as part of a cooking process), non-electric cooking (regardless of fuel source), using or discharging any type of fireworks, throwing down/discarding lighted or smoldering material (including matches or cigarettes), campfires, bonfires, live fire training events, flame effect(s) based displays or exhibitions (including sky lanterns and cold spark machines), and using spark causing devices for recreational purposes.
“Fire safety is a responsibility we all share,” said Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “It’s critical that Ohioans understand and appreciate the significant risks associated with fires, especially during the current drought conditions. Together we can protect our communities and environment.”
Most of the plant materials in Ohio that can fuel wildfires are currently dry and will stay this way until we have significant rainfall. Current dry weather patterns with warm temperatures, low humidities, and wind are increasing the risk of wildland fires in Ohio.
Dry grasses, shrubs, dead leaves, and fallen pine needles are all examples of plant materials that can fuel wildfires. Even if rain is in the forecast, it will require an extended period of soaking rains to reduce the elevated threat of wildfires throughout the state. Spring and fall are the typical wildfire seasons in Ohio; however, the current weather situation and resulting wildfire fuel situation is not typical. Warm, dry windy days in the fall, combined with abundant dead leaves falling and herbaceous plants entering dormancy and drying out, typically create situations conducive to wildfire igniting and spreading.
Residents can take measures to prevent accidental wildfires including, avoiding burning trash and debris, keeping grass trimmed, not discarding cigarettes and other smoking materials outside, postponing fireworks, and avoiding open cooking fires or campfires. Additionally, farmers should regularly check their equipment for any irregularities that can lead to a brush or crop field fire.
Anyone who sees any signs of wildfire should call their local fire department immediately to report it. Accurate and timely reporting of wildfire responses by Ohio fire departments is important for a rapid response to the incident.
Livestock Producers in Fairfield/ Perry County Are Eligible for Drought Recovery Assistance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Kylene Newman in Fairfield Perry County today announced that FSA is now accepting applications for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) for grazing losses due to drought. The deadline to apply for 2024 LFP assistance is January 30, 2025.
LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash leased land or fire on federally managed land. For LFP, qualifying drought intensity levels are determined using the U.S. Drought Monitor. Producers in Fairfield Perry County are eligible to apply for 2024 LFP benefits for grazing losses on native pasture & improved pasture mixed forage. Visit the FSA LFP webpage for a full list of eligible counties and pasture types.
Livestock eligible for LFP include alpacas, beef cattle, bison, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, ostriches, reindeer, or sheep that have been or would have been grazing the eligible grazing land or pastureland. Recently, FSA updated LFP policy to expand program eligibility to include additional income producing grazing animals, like horses and ostrich, that contribute to the commercial viability of an agricultural operation.
Livestock used for hunting and consumption by the owner and horses and other animals that are used or intended to be used for racing and wagering remain ineligible.
As a reminder, producers who want to participate in many USDA programs including disaster assistance programs like LFP, must file timely acreage reports by filling out the FSA-578 form to remain eligible for program benefits. Livestock producers interested in applying LFP should contact Fairfield Perry County FSA at 740-653-4012 with any questions about the eligibility of specific livestock and forage crops.
More information in USDA disaster assistance is available at farmers.gov/recover.
Soon, our thoughts will turn to fall decorations, pumpkins, gourd, mums and pansies in pots plus pumpkin stacks and more. But sometime the frustration comes after planting a container full of lovely new plants only to have digging animals make a mess of your lovely garden arrangements! Squirrels and chipmunks, in particular, seem attracted to scrounging around and burying their nuts and treasures in planted containers.
Squirrels dig holes to bury nuts and food throughout their territories. While they might not be as much of a problem in lawns or between plants in a larger garden, their digging behavior and stashes can quickly ruin carefully arranged plants in pots. Chipmunks do the same, and they also often dig up and eat flowering bulbs and burrow to create tunnels to hide and rest.
Also, both mammals often dig to search for insects and other treasures, and in the process tear up or damage your plants.
While it’s nearly impossible to keep them out of pots entirely, a few tricks can dissuade them from causing great destruction. Here are some tricks that, singly and collectively, can make a big difference in maintaining the health and beauty of potted arrangements:
Lava rocks and other rough surfaces will deter most browsers. Lava rocks with rough surfaces, placed around plants within your pots, can help discourage digging. It’s most effective when they’re placed on any open soil areas after completing your plantings. As plants grow through the season, the lava rocks are barely visible, yet they’re attractive even when they do show.
Pokey wire edging around the perimeter of the pots can help discourage climbing over the tops. If the wire is the same color as the pots or foliage, even better, but not necessary since plants tend to drape over the edges with growth over time.
Wire or plastic screens buried below the top level of soil over bulbs and tubers will discourage rodents from digging and eating bulbs and tubers. The spacing in the screens needs to be large enough for plants to sprout and grow through, but small enough to prevent rodent digging.
Pinching off spent flowers of these plants and sprinkling their fresh seeds over the soil surface also add to the repellence.
Aluminum foil or other bright metal “decoys” help scare away chipmunks, squirrels and other rodents. While they can seem unsightly, these decoys can be tucked under container edges or among plants and then removed after plants have filled in over time.
While most of these techniques are helpful, combining them as strategies can make a big difference in keeping rodents out of pots and minimizing damage.
Applied “critter ridder” solutions, animal repellents and spicy peppers can help, too, but they have to be reapplied frequently and after heavy rains. However, combined with other methods listed here—particularly at the start and end of the growing season when digging behavior seems greatest—they can help keep foraging rodents out of your pots.
There are many more methods that work in various conditions.
Want to learn more about all the activities at Wagnall’s Memorial Library During Honeyfest…be sure to listen into the 88.9FM WLRY Farm Page interview with Executive Director, Deb Silvia. 240820_001
Honeyfest is taking over the streets of Lithopolis this weekend…listen in to the 88.9FM Saturday Farm Page to hear about all the activities happening during Honeyfest with Committee Member Tami Morehart!!
Be sure to listen into the 88.9FM Interview with Kara Whitney about her Open Gate Farm Community Market slated for August 24!! Our mission is to provide a hands-on farm experience for the community that encompasses education, connection and sustainability. Through utilizing nature, animals and food sourcing we will increase the overall health and wellbeing of humans and animals alike. The Open Gate Community Fair is located at 32889 Maxville Road, Bremen, OH. Be sure to listen in for all the details!!
Be sure to listen into the 88.9FM WLRY Saturday Farm Page interview with Katelyn Wynkoop of the Bloom Carroll FFA’s Ag Ventures Summer Day Camp for 180 participants!
“Celebrating Good Kids doing Good Things” Click on the link below to here our conversation!
