Firefighters extinguish burning compost piles

Firefighters quickly went to work on two large compost piles that caught fire at a chicken ranch around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to authorities.

The piles, measuring 50-by-50-feet wide and 20-feet high, were about a quarter mile off the intersection of Dye Road and Ramona Street, over the ridgeline, said Ramona Fire Department/Cal Fire Capt. Josh Black. In addition to the two fires, several spot fires ignited, he said.

Water tenders were called in, as well as dozers to move the material around. About four hours after the call came in, firefighters were being released from the scene, said Black.