Great Bend Fire Department dispatched units to the west of Radium Road in the area of the Arkansas River (SW 60 Ave. and West Barton County Road) at 12:06 p.m. Monday for the report of hay bales on fire. They arrived on scene and found several large hay bales as well as grass and trees on fire.
Another fire was located down in the river about one mile from this fire (SW 70 Ave. and SW 60 Road) at 4:31 p.m. Crews found more grass and trees burning down in the river at that location. Mutual aid crews from Pawnee Rock and Stafford County were called to assist.
Crews remained on scene for several hours. The cause of the fire is under investigation.