July 7, 2023 11:20 a.m. 

Crews with Douglas County Fire District No. 2 dealt with a hay fire off of Garden Valley Road on Thursday night.

Battalion Chief Josh Waechter said at 6:50 p.m. a report came in that hay was on fire in a field on Florence Lane. Waechter said initial reports were that the burning hay was quickly spreading toward a nearby barn.

First responders found numerous round bales of hay on fire. The fire had extended to the barn and was spreading on the ground. The initial crew quickly extinguished the forward progress of the fire, containing it to one-acre. The property owner assisted in removing a truck and trailer to give the fire department access. Neighbors also assisted with laying down a protective bulldozer trailer. Crews with the Douglas Forest Protective Association helped with the initial attack and assisted in preventing the fire from extending outside the containment area.

Fire District No. 2 responded to the incident with one brush unit, two fire engines, two water tenders and one command vehicle with eight personnel. Waechter said it appears the fire started due to a wet bale of hay that was smoldering and accelerated due to windy conditions.

Conditions are currently dry, and any amount of wind can help aid fire spread. Waechter said Fire District No. 2 wants to remind residents that the area is in fire season and asks that the public adhere to current public use restrictions. No burning will be allowed until significant rain in the fall and most outside activities of mowing and operating equipment are currently regulated.