“Financially it hurts” – Haystack fire destroys 3,000 tons near Saint Anthony
UPDATE: 11:53 AM, AUG 5
FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) - Emergency crews spent all night working to put out a fire burning on a farm near saint anthony. But as of Monday morning, the fire has been contained and they do not expect it to spread further.
The fire is at 600 North 1800 East. Crews from Fremont Fire, Ucon Fire, and the Bureau of Land Management were on scene throughout the night with tenders, a brush truck and dozers. First responders tell Local News 8 that multiple haystacks burned up in the blaze. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
"We're still not 100% certain," farm owner Zak Miller told Local News 8 over the phone. "But we think most likely we had a bail of hay that had too much moisture in it. it was resulted in spontaneous combustion, which took out all the hay."
Miller owns the farm with his extended family, which has lived on the property for five generations.
He told reporters roughly 3,000 tons of hay meant to feed their livestock have been lost.
The Miller family has received calls from neighbors offering assistance, and does believe they will be able to pay for the resources to get through the winter.
"Financially, it hurts. Most people don't go into agriculture for the sheer capital gains of it," Miller told Local News 8. "There's legacy impacts. There's a stewardship of the land. There's just a flat trying to do better for God's creations, and that it's hard to put a number on. It's hard work and that hurts. But at the same token, when you see volunteer firefighters and professional firefighters and people just stopping what they're doing on a Sunday to come aid you, as hard as it is on our family, it's just the gratitude we feel to the community. It's just hard to put a figure on because we're just so grateful for so many that have been so kind to us."
FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KXPI/KIFI) – A hay fire is garnering some unwanted attention near St. Anthony, fire crews want people to stay away. The fire is at 600 North 1800 East. Crews from Fremont Fire, Ucon Fire, and the Bureau of Land Management are on scene right now with tenders, a brush truck and dozers. First responders tell Local News 8 that multiple haystacks are on fire, and farm equipment is threatened.
Fremont County Emergency Management says spectators are causing traffic problems, so the public is encouraged to stay out of the area.
