Authorities: Northern Idaho Hay Fire Likely Arson

August 10, 2011

Firefighters in Kootenai County say a fire that destroyed roughly 300 tons of hay worth between $60,000 and $80,000 was likely caused by arson.

The fire started Friday night on the Rathdrum Prairie north of Post Falls. Kootenai County Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Shaena Dunn told the Coeur d’Alene Press (http://bit.ly/pzPqjY ) that the fire is suspicious in part because it started at night. Only the three largest of several haystacks in the area were damaged.

Dunn says there have been other suspicious fires in the region in the past month, but it’s not clear if they’re related. On three separate days, brush fires have been intentionally set in Black Bay Park and Treaty Rock Park.