The Independent

Warwick Fire and Rescue is warning farmers to be extra careful in the wheat fields in the next couple of days because of the extreme heat.

Environment Canada issued an extended heat warning with maximum temperatures of 30 to 37 C and minimum temperatures of 20 to 24 C and humidex values of 38 to 45.

Tuesday will mark the peak of this heat event with maximum temperatures near 37 degrees. The temperature is expected to drop late Thursday.

Last year, Lambton farmers harvested about 102,401 acres of winter wheat and the local harvest began in earnest last week.

“With the extreme heat forecasted this week and as the combines get ready to roll to the field, please take a few extra minutes to make sure your machine is clean of dust and straw build ups,” the fire department said in a social media post.

Fire officials advise farmers to “have more than one charged fire extinguisher” on hand.

Officials add vehicles like pick-up trucks shouldn’t be driven in the field right now and ask people not to throw cigarette butts into the field.

“A bit of preventative maintenance my save you a lot of heartache and financial loss,” officials said noting, “fire reacts very differently in extreme heat, if a fire starts, get out of the fields immediately, equipment can be replaced, lives cannot.”