A near record crop production is forecast for Saskatchewan this year.

Agriculture Minister David Marit says total production is expected to be above last year’s 37.4 million ton crop and could hit 38 million tons.

Although it was hot and dry this summer, he says timely rains were important.

This year’s production could be close to the 39 million ton crop grown in 2013 in Saskatchewan.

Marit is thanking local volunteer fire departments for responding to a number of combine fires around the province.

He says those services are very important.

There have been more combine fires than usual due to very dry conditions in the early part of harvest in Saskatchewan.

Farmer Jason LeBlanc saw one of five combines go up in flames Tuesday on a field between Estevan and Torquay.

He credits social media and neighbors for getting things under control fairly quickly.

Despite the 70 kilometre an hour wind, crop damage was limited to about 20 acres.