Farmer loses 70 acres of corn in fire 1 day before harvest

WILLIAMS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WNEM/Gray News)– A Michigan farmer lost 70 acres of corn in a fire just one day before harvest.

A spark and strong winds led to the swift farm field fire in Williams Township on Sunday.

In a matter of moments, a relaxing afternoon became a high-stress situation for many people in the area.

Donna Anspaugh and her husband saw the fire spread quickly behind their backyard.

“My husband came out and he smelled smoke. Then he told me to call the fire department. I came out, and the backyard grass was starting to burn, and it just kept spreading and spreading,” Anspaugh said.

She recalled the terrifying moments thinking their house might be at risk.

“It was quite scary,” she said. “I was shaking and trying to call 911, and they apparently had gotten other calls when I called.”

Police said a nearby farmer doing work in the field hit a rock that created a spark. The fire spread fast, racing through acre after acre of farmland, thanks to strong winds.

For another nearby farmer, Brian Reuger, the fire came one day too soon.

Rueger said he lost 70 acres of corn on his farm – corn he was planning to harvest the next day.

He also said he would’ve lost another 140 acres to the east if the fire hadn’t been put out in time.

“It was very scary. We thought we were going to lose the whole yard,” Reuger said.

Reuger was terrified that history would repeat itself. Exactly 33 years ago on Oct. 7, his farm was destroyed by fire.

But this time, he was glad to have a helping hand from his fellow farmers.

“There were tractors that showed up here from all over and helped us save the farm. I mean, so it makes you feel good,” he said.

He was quick to point out that the farm where the fire originated lost 40 acres of its corn, too.

“It happens. I mean, I run a combine, and I can see sparks at night when you’re working. So, and then with the wind, and so dry for so long, it don’t take nothing [for a fire to start]. So, away you go,” Reuger said.

As for Anspaugh, who said the fire got dangerously close to the houses lined up along their road, she said she’s glad no one lost their home.

“God was watching over all the houses. Thankfully, no houses were burned. A barn [was], but that’s better than the house,” she said.

WNEM also spoke to a couple who lost a shed to the fire. They wanted to thank the firefighters who responded for saving their house.

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