Culver wheat field fire burns bale wagon, 20 acres

A hay bale wagon caught fire and was destroyed Thursday afternoon in a Culver wheat field blaze that also burned 45 bales of straw and spread to 20 acres of stubble, a Jefferson County Fire District official said.

Assistant Fire Chief Tom Jaca said crews were called out about 3:15 p.m. to the fire on a wheat field at Southwest Iris Lane and Highway 361.

Six fire district engine crews were joined by a BLM engine to help contain the fire and do mop-up work, on scene for about three hours, Jaca said.

“Grain or hay chaff getting anywhere around an engine manifold can ignite,” Jaca said. The load of straw bales ignited, and the fire extended to the bale wagon itself.

The bale wagon, worth about $70,000, was destroyed, Jaca said, adding that it was insured. The 45 lost hay bales were worth about $45 each. No injuries were reported.