Rock Valley, Iowa– Over 100 round cornstalk bales were destroyed in a fire that was extinguished by four fire departments on Monday evening, October 24, 2022, near Rock Valley.
According to Rock Valley Fire Chief Brent Eshuis, at about 7:15 p.m., the Rock Valley Fire Department was called to the report of a hay fire at 3319 Garfield Avenue, two miles south and three east of Rock Valley.
The chief says the fire department saw the bales on fire as they approached the scene. He says the wind was blowing the fire toward more bales on the yard, but they sprayed water on those, which helped. He says the farmer took his payloader and helped haul the bales into the field where they were disked around.
Eshuis says no injuries were reported.
The fire department was assisted by the Hull, Sioux Center, and Doon fire departments.
He says the cause of the fire is undetermined.
Chief Eshuis reports that damage was limited to the bales. At today’s prices, the bales would be worth somewhere in the $10,000 zone.
He says the firefighters who responded were on the scene for about four hours.
