The Great Bend Fire Department responded to a hay bale fire near SE 20 Road and SE 30 Ave. in Barton County at approximately 1 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19. GBFD Chief Brent Smith reports that crews arrived to find a large stack of hay fully involved in fire.

Crews quickly determined that the approximately 250 bales of hay were a total loss. They set up defensively to protect an adjacent stack of hay and a residence nearby. Crews remained on scene for several hours.

This stack of hay will continue to burn for several days and will be monitored by the property owner and the Great Bend Fire Department. The initial cause of the fire is believed to be a lightning strike.

GBFD was assisted on-scene by the Barton County Sheriff's Department.

Smith also recapped his department’s assistance at a Pawnee County fire on Monday, June 17.

At approximately 9:10 in the morning, the Great Bend Fire Department responded to a mutual aid request from the Larned Fire Department for a structure fire in Pawnee County. Great Bend firefighters assisted with transporting water to the scene and due to the hot temperature and high humidity crews also assisted with extinguishing the fire.