A massive hay-bale fire that is burning near U.S. 287 and Isabelle Roadnorth of Lafayette and west of Erie — will smolder for days because of the sheer amount of water it would take to extinguish it.
The fire, which was contained Friday morning, consumed 1,000 bales of hay owned by Leisitkow Farms, according to farm manager George Rorchers. He estimated the loss at $90,000.
The fire started about 5 a.m. on the farm known as the Holderby property, at Isabelle Road and Botany Lane, said Heidi Prentup, a spokeswoman for the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.
The fire is in an open area and not threatening any structures; no injuries were reported.
It would take hundreds of thousands of gallons of water to completely extinguish the blaze, and the nearest hydrant is a quarter-mile away, said Shawn Stark, spokeswoman for the Louisville Fire Department. She said the fire will be allowed to burn itself out, which will likely take a couple of days.
Firefighters will keep a close eye on it during that time, she said.
The cause of the fire is not known, but hay bales can spontaneously combust.
Louisville Fire Deputy Chief Mike Schick said, “We see this on occasion with grass like this. When it is cut wet, there’s a chemical reaction that occurs as it dries that generates heat. All it takes is a little air.”
Joe Rubino, Daily Camera
