More than 65 firefighters responded to a large bale fire near Highway 3 and Range Road 65 Monday. SUBMITTED PHOTO CYPRESS COUNTY
@MedicineHatNews
Firefighters from 13 different fire departments in Southeast Alberta were needed to help put out a huge bale fire near Medicine Hat on Monday.
Cypress County emergency officials said 65 firefighters were on the scene from about noon until 10 p.m. bringing the fire under control by 5 p.m. and then dousing hotspots with the aid of an excavator.
Officials said Tuesday they believe that a build-up of heat from fermentation in a silage pit cause the ignition.
Fire stations from Cypress County, Medicine Hat and Brooks provided resources to fight the fire along side volunteer departments in Box Springs, Seven Persons, Irvine, Walsh, Hilda, Schuler, and Suffield. The Murray Lake Hutterite Colony and the industrial firefighting team at from the Methanex plant were also involved, as was Alberta Health Services with a mobile unit.
Damage extended to several grain bins at the property located near Range Road 65 and Highway No. 3, about eight kilometres southwest of Medicine Hat.
