Farmers, firefighters halt hayfield fire from spreading to nearby fields

Acres of land burned as firefighters fought to extinguish the blaze. Tue., July 14, 2026. PHOTO: GOOGLE MAPS

A field fire burned wilfully across acres of farmland in Essa Township Tuesday morning.

With a week of temperatures in the mid-30s, crews quickly attacked the blaze that threatened to spread in the neighbouring dry fields.

Essa Fire Department, with mutual aid assistance from the New Tecumseth Fire Department, arrived at the corner of Essa County Road 15 and 21 Sideroad at around 11:30 a.m.

“This was a hay field that workers were actively working in when we believe a spark from a piece of machinery caught fire,” said Essa’s Deputy Fire Chief Gary McNamara.

“Most of the field was already combined, but a few acres of material were lost,” he said.

Firefighters hooked up a hydrant from the nearby CFB Borden, he said.

All-in-all, about 15 acres of hay burned, he said.

“Crews worked fast with assistance from farmers turning over material,” McNamara said.

Provincial police cleared the scene within an hour said Const. C. Hietanen.

“The roads were briefly closed to allow for the fire to be put out and hot spots taken care of,” Hietanen said.