Fire destroys hay shed, tractors N. of Madras

Jefferson County fire officials were looking Monday for the cause of a late-night fire north of Madras that destroyed a hay shed, several vehicles and a large amount of hay, with losses estimated at $450,000.

The fire was reported around 11:45 p.m. Sunday at 8400 NE Quaale Road, about 12 miles northeast of Madras west of Highway 97, said Fire Chief Brian Huff of Jefferson County Fire District No. 1.

Huff said the owners reported the fire was well-involved throughout the structure when they learned of the blaze and it had been burning for about an hour when fire crews arrived. The fire was located on the north side of the road, just outside the fire district, he noted.

Three tractors were lost, along with a shop truck, a hay baler and “the big loss,” about $300,000 worth of hay, the fire chief said.

A fourth tractor was pulled out of the burning shed by backhoe and saved, Huff said, adding that crews “put out some fire burning on it.”

No injuries were reported and the home on the property is some 800 feet away, Huff said. A smaller chicken shed was close to the fire but saved.