Over 400 round bales burned in Lyons Township
On Friday, July 2, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a grass fire in Section 11 of Lyons Township, southeast of Nimrod.
Deputies arrived on the scene to find a grass fire and numerous round hay bales on fire. Minnesota DNR Forestry arrived and contained the fire to keep it from spreading. The Sebeka Fire Department worked to extinguish the round bales. Bulldozers and an excavator had to be brought in to bury the bales in order to extinguish the flames.
The Sheriff’s Office learned the property owner had been using a tractor to cut grass and noticed the fire in an area he had previously been working. He worked at trying to stop the flames from spreading before a call was placed to 911.
The property owner was checked and cleared by paramedics on the scene. No injuries were reported.
The exact cause of the fire is unknown. The tractor’s exhaust is suspected of causing the grass fire. An estimated 400 plus round hay bales were lost in the fire.
The Menahga, Verndale and Staples fire departments assisted with mutual aid. Also assisting was the Tri-County Ambulance Service.