Fire departments battle round bale fire

Bad Rock and Columbia Falls firefighters battled a round bale fire at a farm on Trap Road Tuesday afternoon.

The fire did not appear to spread to any structures and while the bales were still smoldering the blaze looked to be contained to one pile of bales before 3 p.m. The call for the blaze came in at 2:17 p.m. and the scene was cleared at 7:49 p.m. by Bad Rock crews.

Round bales are difficult to put out completely and multiple engines were on the scene. Creston and the state Department of Natural Resources also assisted in fighting the fire.

The fire may have started due to the bales heating up from being wound tight, but it remains under investigation, noted Columbia Falls Fire Chief Karl Weeks. About 50 bales were lost.

This story was updated on Aug. 6.