POST FALLS - Rathdrum Prairie farmers are on edge after the fourth agricultural fire in that area in the past three months destroyed 61 tons of wheat straw bales on Friday night.

A stack of 122 square bales under a tarp east of Huetter Road, just north of Interstate 90, was valued at $4,300, said the owner, who didn't want to be identified out of fear that he'll be targeted again.

Out of the four fires, the same owner has been targeted three times, including Friday's incident reported at 10 p.m.

"Fire crews were able to contain the fire to the haystack alone, but the haystack itself was a total loss," said Shaena Dunn, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue spokeswoman. "The common ground that we are finding with these haystack fires is that there is no evidence of how they are being started, they are all at night."

Jeryl Archer, KCFR's fire marshal, said investigators don't know if the fires are connected, but he said they are suspicious.

"We're trying to cross-reference cases and we're working with the Department of Lands, but we have no evidence or suspects," Archer said.

The four fires - in all cases involving stacked and baled product - have caused about $142,000 in total damage.

A fire last month at Huetter and Mullan destroyed 115 tons of wheat straw valued at $8,100. A blaze in July that wiped out 300 tons of timothy hay and one in August that destroyed 300 tons of orchardgrass caused $65,000 worth of damage in each case.

The victim who has been targeted three times said he has insurance, but it's getting to be a reporting nightmare.

"How many of these do you turn in?" he said. "After awhile, they probably won't insure me. I know I wouldn't insure me."

Even though the fires have been started at night, he said the suspect is still brazen.

"Those stacks on Huetter are not remote," he said. "The one three weeks ago was under a street light and 50 yards from a guy's house. On this one, people live across the street."

The Rathdrum Prairie Hay Growers Association is offering a $1,000 reward leading to the arrest of the suspect. Association members said they have discussed what they can do to keep an eye out for future incidents, but declined to elaborate.

Farmers believe they are the target of arson, but are unsure why.

"It's scary," said a Rathdrum Prairie farmer who wished to remain anonymous out of concerns her family may be the next target. "That's our livelihood and it's gone."

An investigation continues.

Those with information on any of the fires are urged to call Kootenai County Fire and Rescue at 676-8739 or the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department at 446-1300.