One Costly Fire

The numbers are now in on the cost of a huge field fire in Pilot Township on 11,000 west Road, October 6th.  The Daily Journal reports the flames consumed some 400 acres of corn and soybeans at a loss of an estimated 320 thousand dollars and brought 12 fire departments to the scene. Pilot Township Fire Protection officials say the fast moving fire was spread by wind gusts of up to 40 miles an hour.  Herscher farmer Mark O’Connor tells the Journal he lost 120 acres of corn in the fire and missed out on what he believes would have been a record yield for him.