Hundreds of hay bales burn at Pinal dairy farm

Firefighters continued to battle a blaze Wednesday that engulfed hundreds of hay bales on a Pinal County dairy farm. Several Rural/Metro Fire Department crews responded to the blaze just before 6 p.m. Tuesday at the farm near Germann Road and Ironwood Drive.

Officials estimate that more than 600 hay bales stacked about 20 feet high and weighing 1 ton each caught fire underneath two storage canopies.

The cause of the blaze isn't known, and fire officials said it's likely that they will not investigate.

"We usually don't investigate unless it's suspicious," Rural/Metro spokeswoman Kore Redden said. "In this case, it doesn't seem so."

Firefighters had the flames controlled within the first hour, Rural/Metro wildland chief Wyatt Oden said. But officials said that it could take until Saturday before the burning hay is completely extinguished.

Officials said natural materials like hay and grass are difficult to put out because they release flammable gases as they burn. So crews have spread out the hay to let it smolder and burn out on its own.

A lack of water also compounded the situation because no fire hydrants are near the barns.

Rural/Metro had to use a special truck to ship in water several times and store it in a portable tank.

On Wednesday afternoon, clouds of smoke still poured from the barns and could be seen from more than five miles away. The area near the farm also was thick with haze.

Officials said the state Department of Air Quality was monitoring the situation, but nothing hazardous had been found.

No people or animals were injured in the fire.

Tribune writer Eddi Trevizo contributed to this report.