Fireworks and pyrotechnics events cost serious money, but locals can ‘enjoy’ giant wind turbines self-immolate for free. Sure, it’s safer to stand up wind and avoid the plumes of toxic smoke. But there’s something almost attractive about watching these things fire up and disintegrate in a molten, smoky fury. Of course this is one of the safest industries on earth (we’re told). And in the same crowd tells us not to fret about the risk of runaway grass fires, when these fiery explosions occur in summer, with fuel loads at a peak.

Here’s just one little example of the kind of excitement that comes with your wind-powered future from the state of Iowa. Be sure to watch the video, where locals reveal just how much these things have added to their daily lives.

Massive fire destroys wind turbine in Adair County
KCCI
Todd Magel
17 October 2023

ADAIR COUNTY, Iowa — A massive fire destroyed a wind turbine and burned a large farm field in Adair County Tuesday morning.

The fire burned so hot it destroyed the 22-story tall structure. It consumed the nacelle that holds the generator and one giant blade, which crashed to the ground.

“It’s crazy, it’s nuts. I can’t believe it. But I can, as dry and windy as it is. But it’s something else,” said Noah Kouri, who lives nearby.

The fire eventually spread to the cornfields below. That created a giant plume of smoke that spread north toward Interstate 80. The smoke was visible for miles.

“I was coming home at like the Dexter Exit, Redfield, like 10 miles from here, you can see the smoke everywhere,” said Amy Budd, who lives nearby.

Emergency crews from Adair and surrounding towns couldn’t do much but watch the fire. They had no equipment to reach the top of the wind turbine. Officials say it’s lucky that the field was freshly plowed, and that stopped the fire spreading too far.

“We are very fortunate that this field had already been harvested,” Adair County emergency manager Robert Kempf said.
KCCI