Fire off O’Neil Hwy. destroys hay, loader

About 60 tons of hay were destroyed in fire off O’Neil Highway west of Prineville Saturday night, as was a Caterpillar loader, officials say.

A fire off the O’Neil Highway Saturday night destroyed 60 tons of baled hay and a Caterpillar ‘reach-out’ loader, Crook County Fire & Rescue officials said.

Crews responded around 8 p.m. to the reported shop and hay fire, officials said. Eight personnel were called in, on two engines and two water tenders.

The fire began with the hay that had been baled about four weeks earlier, officials said. The destroyed hay and loader wee valued at $50,000.