Flames consumed the Docheff Dairy barn east of Longmont around 3:20 a.m.
The barn held approximately 7,000 small hay bales and 150 large hay bales, 100 percent of which was destroyed along with a loader and windrower.
“All I can say is, yes it was a very big loss and the amount is unknown now, there’s really not much else to say,” said Jim Docheff Sr. who owns the barn.
No livestock or people were injured in the blaze, but the barn is unsalvageable, Docheff said.
Mountain View Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Steve Pischke said he estimates the fire will burn for another three to four days.
“When you’ve get 900 tons of hay piled high and tightly packed, it’s going to burn a while,” Pischke said.
Firefighters are no longer on scene but are checking on the fire’s progress periodically. Pischke said two firefighting apparatus were left at the fire so crews will have quick access to the equipment if the status of the fire changes.
“We’re waiting to see what the weather is going to do, whether it will cooperate or be windy and stormy,” Pischke said.
Both rain and wind would could prolong the burn, Pischke said.
“Hay fires are really hard to put out,” Pischke said. “Water just makes the fire smolder because the water can’t penetrate the hay. It’s like water on a duck’s back — it gets in an inch or two, that’s it. And the cows won’t eat anything that’s had smoke in it anyway.”
The barn is a pole barn, with an open south side, which Pischke said is helping the air get in since the roof is still on.
The barn is partially collapsed, and Pischke called it a total loss.
Bianca Davis: 303-954-1698 or bsmith-davis@denverpost.com
