LANE — A large fire burned more than 100 acres of hayfield and more than 50 large bales of hay south of Lane Tuesday afternoon. Thirty volunteer firefighters from five rural fire departments battled the blaze near Virginia Road and Clark Terrace, Franklin County fire marshal Alan Radcliffe said. Daniel Johnston, Lane, was baling hay and for some reason the baler malfunctioned and caught on fire, which spread to the hay field and quickly went out of control, he said. Although firefighters put out the pasture fire, Pottawatomie Township firefighters were planning to stay at the scene through much of the evening and night, he said. The fire spread into a timber area but rather than have firefighters battle the blaze and heat, units will monitor that part of the fire, he said. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department estimated the damage to the baler and the hay at $10,000. Despite the heavy loss and damage, Johnston left the damaged baler and resumed cutting grass for a new batch of hay while firefighters worked, Radcliffe said. It’s the second big hay fire in two weeks. A fireworks-related fire destroyed more than 30 large bales and damaged several acres of hay and crop land east of Ottawa. The heat and dry conditions have created a situation where accidental fires will quickly get out of control, Radcliffe said. Rural fire departments now figure on sending as many trucks as quickly as possible to reported fires, he said.
Wednesday, July 11, 6 a.m.; updated 1 p.m.
