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Idaho State Police
District 5 5255 S. 5th Avenue, Suite 1
Pocatello, Idaho 83204 (208) 239-9800
For Immediate Release: 10/20/2021 at 9:15 p.m.
Please direct questions to the District Office
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Hay fire Interstate 86
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Troopers with the Idaho State Police, Power County Sheriff's deputies, and firefighters from the Power County Fire District, Cassia County Fire District, Declo, and Rockland Fire Departments are on scene of a hay truck fire on westbound Interstate 86 near Raft River.
At this time, westbound travel on I-86 near the Coldwater Hill is closed to allow firefighters to extinguish the flames still smoldering in the large hay bales. The triple trailer hauling the hay is a total loss. The driver of the truck, a man from Rupert is not hurt.
The fire was reported at approximately 4:56 p.m. The truck driver reports he was traveling westbound when a passing truck driver notified him via radio that hay bales on the trailer were on fire. The driver pulled to the right shoulder and tried to extinguish the fire but it spread quickly and soon engulfed all three trailer loads. The flames also caused a small grass fire.
A farmer working nearby responded and offered his backhoe to help push the hay off the trailers, spreading out the bales to allow firefighters better access. Troopers on scene say the farmer's assistance was timely and very helpful in containing the fire.
Westbound lanes between Exit 21 and Eastbound Coldwater Rest Area (16 to 18 miles west of the American Falls area) remain closed to allow for firefighting efforts and to clear the scene. At this time, it's unknown when westbound lanes will reopen. Monitor @ISPEasternIdaho on Twitter for travel updates.
