Published on September 30, 2026 8:45 pm
Last Updated on September 30, 2026 8:45 pm
(THE TRUCK ON FIRE AT THE FIELD FIRE SOUTH OF EFFINGHAM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. PHOTO COURTESY OF J WILL ADVENTURES AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY)
The Watson Fire Protection District was dispatched to a possible field fire at 12:47pm Wednesday. A vehicle in a field is believed to be the cause of the fire.
On arrival, Watson firefighters noticed a large amount of smoke coming from the area near 13351 East 1000th Avenue, along with multiple acres of standing and cut corn on fire as well as the vehicle on fire.
Watson firefighters began containment and sought assistance from multiple mutual aid departments due to the size, area and weather conditions. After roughly an hour and a half of continued containment and extinguishing, the fire companies and volunteer help began making progress. Firefighters were finally able to clear the scene roughly two hours later.
Watson firefighters said containment of the incident would not have been possible without help from the Effingham Fire Department, Shumway Fire Department, Teutopolis Fire Department, local farmers, the Effingham Equity, and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office.
