BLANCHARD, N.D. (KFGO) – Fire Departments from Hillsboro and Hunter battled a large grain dryer fire in Blanchard, North Dakota. The fire was reported late Sunday afternoon.
Traill County Sheriff Steve Hunt tells KFGO News the dryer is located at a privately owned bin site along Highway 18, on the east side of the small community, being used for drying sunflowers when the fire started.
Hunt says the large dryer was engulfed in fire with flames visible for some distance. He says first fire crews on the scene did a good job knocking down the blaze.
In order to make sure the fire was out, the bin had to be emptied and firefighters remained on scene for some time.
Hunt says given the below-normal temperatures and a wet harvest, farmers are dealing with high moisture grains, which require extended drying and can cause the dryers to overheat and burn.
