Arsonists seting hay bale fires
Arsonists seting hay bale fires
Fire season is a dangerous time on the prairie. A stray cigarette or sparks from a burn barrel can blacken thousands of acres and put lives, homes, fences and livestock at risk. Local firefighters have been kept busy with dozens of calls this month. Their job hasn’t been made any easier because of vandals who have been setting fires for kicks over the last couple of weeks, said Parshall Fire Chief Monte Billadeau.
Three hay bale fires have been started over the last three weeks, Billadeau said. Two of the fires were started about 2 a.m. and were definitely deliberately set.
“It isn’t an accident,” Billadeau said. “It’s arson. Any fire is dangerous as hot as the weather has been.”
Billadeau said his crews don’t need the extra work because there have been many grass fires to battle in the last two months.
“I couldn’t tell how many fires we’ve been called out on,” Billadeau said. “I would have to go down and count them. It’s been quite a few, I can tell you that.”
