Hay on fire!

deere755 · Aug 22, 2006

I am always glad to hear that someone is interested in joining the fire department. It is a thankless job but very rewarding. I just completed 20 years in the fire service last April. I think some days it is time for me to back down and let someone else have their turn at it but there is a part of me that just can't let go yet. I gave up on going in the burning buildings this year after having chest pain in January. I am a pump operater now but I miss going in very much. I have noticed in the last few years that it is harder to get up at 2 or 3 am for a call. Our department formed a Firefighter color guard 3 years ago and I have enjoyed being a part of it. Congrats on joining I think you will enjoy it very much. As for the snake the only good one is a dead one.

meadowlarkponds · Aug 23, 2006

It is virtually impossible to extinguish a fire in round bales of hay. Once they start, they are goners...unfortunately from personal experience. I've had two such fires and volunteer fire departments and equipment can only contain the fire. I store round bales in separate locations for that very reason...in case of fire, so that all hay is not lost.

How did the fires start...once from a road crew burning a dead tree (sparks blown to the hay) and the second time from my own brush pile burning that moved a long distance to the hay area.