Arson Dogs To Sniff Out Hay Fire

BOULDER (CBS4)- Arson dogs were called to the scene of a hay fire in Boulder County Friday afternoon.

The fire broke out just after 5 a.m. Friday in the area of Isabelle Road and Colorado Highway 287, just north of Lafayette.

A stack of about 800 large bales of hay and straw were on fire when firefighters arrived.

The property, known as Holderby property, is owned by Boulder County Parks and Open Space. It is leased to a farmer who farms the property.

The farmer had grown the hay and harvested it. He also cut it and is devastated at the loss. The farmer estimates the fire destroyed about 60 percent of his summer crop. He had sold the hay to a local dairy.

Damage estimates are between $64,000 and $80,000 in hay and one tractor which was valued at $35,000.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Fire Protection Districts with the assistance of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.

The hay bales are expected to smolder for several more days.