semi and hay bale fire - courtesy of Coaldale fire Dept.

By Dori Modney & David Opinko

Suspected mechanical problem blamed for semi-truck hay bale fire

Dec 20, 2019 | 10:22 AM

COALDALE – UPDATE: Fire Chief Kevin McKeown confirms the fire that appeared to have started in bales of hay being transported on a semi-truck near Coaldale on Friday (Dec 20) was accidental.

The suspected cause was a mechanical problem with the truck’s brakes. The semi and its load were a complete loss.

The Coaldale fire department responded to the fire around 8:55-am, on Highway-845, adjacent to the Cottonwood subdivision. The hay bales were on fire, with the flames being spread by the wind.

An Alberta Emergency Alert was issued for the south section of the town, alerting drivers that both lanes of the highway were closed and those living in the area should keeps their windows closed due to heavy smoke.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

The wind and a damaged diesel fuel tank full of fuel added to safety concerns.

A total of ten firefighters were on scene with various apparatus to deal with the fire. They were able to tie into a hydrant near by and raised the department’s elevated master stream in order to get control of the blaze.

The highway was shut down for 8.5-hours and reopened at 5:30-pm, after the debris had been removed. There were no injuries reported.

Many thanks to the Coaldale fire crew!

The semi truck fire just south of Coaldale – Supplied by Sarai Greening