Fire chief warns the public about danger of hay combustion - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Fire chief warns the public about danger of hay combustion

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These hay bales caught fire several weeks ago (Source: Jim Bollinger). These hay bales caught fire several weeks ago (Source: Jim Bollinger).
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MARBLE HILL, MO (KFVS) -

The fire chief of Marble Hill, Mo. wants the public to know that combustion with hay bales are a real threat.

Chief Jim Bollinger says local farmers are in hay season and that stacking hay bales with moisture in them is a big problem.

He says due to the pressure of the hay being held together, the moisture can get really hot. And if the humidity is low enough, it can seep out and combust.

Bollinger says it is actually a danger anytime the humidity is low.

There was a fire due to this just over a week ago in the northern part of Bollinger County.

He says hay fires generally occur within six weeks of baling. 

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