Elm Creek, Neb. — Elm Creek Volunteer Fire & Rescue is trying to extinguish a large hay bale fire that’s been burning since early Tuesday morning about 2 miles southwest of Elm Creek on Arrow Road. Fire Chief Tyler Hillmer says 500 to 600 large, square bales are burning in a “protective building”…
Chief Hillmer says Elm Creek Volunteer Fire & Rescue was called at 3 a.m. Mutual aid was provided by Overton Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Kearney Volunteer Fire Department to supply water tankers to help haul water Tuesday morning. He says crews from Overton and Kearney were cut loose at noon and Elm Creek firefighters have been monitoring the smoldering hay this afternoon. No injuries have been reported. Hillmer says he doesn’t have an estimate of the loss. The Fire Marshal and firefighters at the scene speculated the blaze may have been sparked by some “wet” bales that started other bales on fire spontaneously.
Hillmer says winds out of the north are causing smoke to drift south and they requested the Department of Transportation put up warning signs on Interstate 80 for reduced visibility due to smoke from the fire.
