Fire departments throughout the Quinte region are being run ragged dousing grass fires during this dry spring weather.
There have been several grass and brush fires stretching from Marmora and Lake to Prince Edward County and points east and west.
Total burn bans are now in effect in Prince Edward County, Tyendinaga Township, Centre Hastings, and Madoc Township.
Meanwhile, a medium size hay storage barn burned to the ground Saturday afternoon, just west of Madoc on St. Lawrence Street at the Madoc Township/Centre Hastings border, near Foley Bus Lines.
Firefighters were able to save some cows and dogs. Madoc Township Fire Chief Jason Gear says the fire started in one of two small sheds housing an ATV and lawn mowers with the flames spreading to the hay barn.
The cause is under investigation, but is not considered suspicious.
On a happy note, Madoc Township firefighters will be cooking up breakfast to raise funds, Sunday morning in Eldorado on highway 62 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
