The Okotoks fire department responded to a grass fire call yesterday, November 12.

At around 1:30 p.m. the crew arrived at 402 Ave and 48 Street just south of Okotoks.

Fire Chief Ken Thevenot says it started with hay bales on the property.

"Upon arrival there was heavy black smoke, there was structures involved with fire starting around hay bales that spread to the grass, which then spread to the structures but you could see the smoke from quite a distance away."

A crew of about 25 fire fighters were on scene with help from the Heritage Pointe and Black Diamond departments.

Thevenot says it was a long day for them all.

"It took us a good number of hours. What the problem was, was the structure was involved, there was heavy winds, there was a couple of camper trailers that were also affected. There was also about 30 round bales that we had to deal with so it took quite some time to get it under control."

The emergency response team was on scene until 8:30 p.m. when they got it under control and were relieved by other members who were brought in to keep an eye on smoldering bales over night.

They are still assessing but Thevenot says they believe the problem was spontaneous combustion.

"So at this time it looks like it started with spontaneous combustion in the round bales. What happens is they were probably a little bit wet when they were bailed and then drying wasn't there so it probably created some mold and spontaneous combustion would have started it up."

Certain machinery to work around the existing structures was brought in this morning to take care of the last smoldering bales.

No one was injured in the incident.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com