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When Harvest Goes Up in Smoke: Are We Prepared for the Growing Risk of Farm Fires?

#343 | Source: Hannah Cuthbert, MorePeople | Published on August 19th, 2026

The 2026 season has brought an unusually early harvest alongside drought and extreme heat. As the climate and weather patterns continue to change, risks that farmers have always had to manage may need to be considered more seriously.

​Talking about the weather is normally a pretty safe bet in my line of work. This year, however, I’ve found myself shying away from it.

As one candidate put it to me recently: “Lovely weather, unless you’re a farmer.”