Blazing Inferno Engulfs Milky Way Dairy Barn in Maricopa

A significant fire erupted at Milky Way Dairy Farm near Maricopa tonight, destroying a barn as firefighting efforts continued into the evening.

The blaze, first reported around 6:30 p.m., prompted a response from Maricopa Fire and several neighboring departments. Eyewitnesses stated that firefighters were on site for hours, yet reported no water had been applied to the flames.

The barn’s fire appeared to be fueled by bales of hay; however, the specific contents remain unknown. One fire official on site refrained from discussing the cause of the fire, indicating the need to focus on the situation at hand.

Milky Way Dairy plays a vital role in the local agriculture sector, managing over 35,000 cows. The family-owned operation also hosts a renewable energy project generating enough natural gas annually to power thousands of homes and fuel vehicles. This initiative began supplying renewable transportation fuel to a Southwest Gas pipeline in early 2023.

Nacelle Solutions, which specializes in renewable energy infrastructure, has been entrusted with the facility’s upgrades and maintains oversight of its operations.

As of now, it remains uncertain whether the fire affected any part of the renewable natural gas facility. The de Jong family, who owns the dairy, has been involved in farming since the 1600s and underscores the importance of sustainable practices to uphold their agricultural legacy in Pinal County.