Local

Stack of hay bales painted with ‘Trump 2020’ set on fire near Ferndale

FERNDALE, Wash. — The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an arson near Ferndale where a stack of hay bales was set on fire.

Deputies said they were called to the intersection of Grandview and Enterprise roads at 1:30 p.m. Sunday by a neighbor who said a stack of hay bales covered in white plastic that had “TRUMP 2020” painted on it had been set on fire.

Deputies and Ferndale police officers tried to put out the fire but were unsuccessful. Arriving firefighters put out the flames.

Police said the hay bales were on private property and were relatively close to a house.

Eleven hay bales were destroyed. Police said they were valued at $495.

Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo said the incident was one of several over the past year where political signs were stolen or damaged.

“In this instance, the crime resulted in the destruction of private property that had the propensity to spread and jeopardize nearby structures and their occupants. This incident also resulted in the use of Fire District, Sheriff’s Office and Ferndale Police assets that were unavailable for the duration of the response to respond to other emergencies,” Elfo said.

Anyone with information about the arson is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 360-778-6600.