PHOTO GALLERY: Route Z fire destroys barn south of Hallsville

July 25, 2012 | 3:09 p.m. CDT

The Boone County Fire Protection District was dispatched to Route Z south of Hallsville after reports that several 1-ton hay bales had caught fire. Firefighters were able to stop the blaze, but the barn where the hay was stored burned to the ground.

A firefighter with the Boone County Fire Protection District crosses burned brush Wednesday as he checks on the safety and progress of the other firefighters called to the scene south of Hallsville. | Carrie Durkee

Firefighters extinguish flaming hay bales with the help of the property owner on Wednesday south of Hallsville. When rolled, hay weighs about 1 ton and retains heat. The firefighters had the property owner use his tractor to spread the hay in order to fully extinguish the bales. | Carrie Durkee

The process of extinguishing large bales of hay caused lots of smoke that made it difficult to breathe and see on Wednesday south of Hallsville. High heat and wind made it difficult for firefighters to work and fully extinguish the dry hay. | Carrie Durkee

A barn south of Hallsville is completely consumed by a fire on Wednesday morning. The cause of the fire remains unknown. | Carrie Durkee

Firefighter Adam Stoffer aims a hose onto the burned barn Wednesday to extinguish any remaining hot spots. The burned remains of the barn south of Hallsville and smoldering hay bales held heat after the fire had been contained because of the dry and hot conditions. | Carrie Durkee