Field fires, low visibility for drivers

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Field fire after field fire. All made worse due to dry and hot conditions.

"It's dry and getting drier and it's going to spread faster with these winds. There is no humidity to help it," Sheffield Township Fire Chief, Bill Huffer said.

Monday afternoon, fire crews were called to the latest in a string of field fires, this one near Interstate 65 and State Road 38.

"It could be from a cigarette thrown out the window. It could be a hot piece of rubber off a semi tire," Huffer said.

During that time, all lanes of Interstate 65 and 38 were shut down while crews battled the flames. And while firefighters battled the blaze, drivers had their own battle, reduced visibility caused from heavy smoke.

"If you are out on the interstate for example, and you come up to a smoky area, you have a couple of things to worry about," Tippecanoe County EMA director, Smokey Anderson said."

Anderson said one of the things drivers need to be prepared to do if they come across a field fire on the side of a road, is to slow down and make quick decisions.

"Unless they have room to stop, or safely stop and get off the road and put their hazard flashers on, they can proceed to slowly through that. Be prepared to stop and be prepared for the car behind you to stop," Anderson explained.

No one was injured in the fire and about one acre of grass was burned.

The Sheffield Township Fire Department, with help from Lafayette crews, responded to the call.

Last month, a field fire resulted in a fatal crash on U.S. 231 just south of Lafayette.