General News
11 April, 2026
Hundreds of hay bales lost in fire
Hundreds of hay bales were destroyed, and a shed was extensively damaged in a fire attended by multiple emergency service units at Sheep Hills on Easter Monday.
"We got the call at 4.15pm on Monday," said Warracknabeal Captain Russell Brown.
Units from Sheep Hills, Warracknabeal, Minyip, Areegra, and Boolite attended the fire.
Police and the SES attended, with the SES providing lighting.
Warracknabeal CFA provided five trucks and 15 personnel.
Farmers using private appliances from neighbouring farms also assisted, and the Wilkens tanker was on hand to provide a continuous water supply for the appliances.
Five privately owned telehandlers were used to remove bales from three of the bays to save as much hay as possible.
"I believe the fire started by spontaneous combustion," Mr Brown said.
"About 500 to 800 bales were destroyed, but we saved 1500."
"During the suppression, much of the hay was removed from the shed by the telehandlers," he said.
At one stage, an excavator was brought in to remove parts of the iron shed walls.
The shed contained a mixture of vetch and cereal hay.
The fire was still being attended by several CFA on Tuesday, and was not expected to be extinguished for several days.