Drought increasing number of fire calls

The Superior Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire burning west of Webber Friday.

Arden Russell, a rural Jewell County farmer, was moving round hay bales when he noticed his feet were becoming warm from the tractor. He moved the tractor from the hay yard to the road where the tractor became engulfed in flames.

Scott Nondorf, Superior fire chief, reported five Superior units, with 11 responders, rolled to the scene. The Hardy Volunteer Fire Department dispatched four units and seven responders to assist in dousing the blaze.

Three round bales were destroyed in the fire. The Internationa...