Owner JJ Pagel says 20 minutes made all of the difference after a fire broke out at the Ponderosa Dairy facility Saturday morning. Two employees working in the maternity barn noticed smoke coming from the dryer building around 2:15 AM. The Pagels were able to cut the power, slow the spread of the flames, and save equipment housed in the structure. Fire departments arrived on the scene around 2:40 and were able to put out the blaze before it could reach the far side where the manure digester is located. Pagel says it continues to be operational.

Pagel realizes it was a close call that could have become catastrophic. No employees or animals were injured. He says the farm is currently looking at installing a fill station on the property to make it easier if fire departments have to be called out again in the future.