REXBURG, Idaho -- Smoke is beginning to clear in Rexburg after several fires started Saturday afternoon.

Two fires began just after 5 p.m. near the Bark Plant north of Thornton. Smoke could be seen for miles but it wasn't just smoke in the air. There was also a lot of dust because of the high winds.

The fires happened at Mountain West Colorado Aggregate which is also known as the Bark Yard at 4212 S. Highway 191 in Rexburg.

The first fire started by spontaneous combustion in a pile of bark. It was the strong winds that carried embers from the first pile to another pile on the opposite end of the yard.

The Madison County Fire Department responded after drivers on Highway 191 called the fire in. Less than two hours later, firefighters had the fire out by spreading the smoldering bark with bulldozers.

Although the valley is under a red flag warning, Assistant Fire Chief Mikel Walker said fires like this are pretty uncommon.

"We don't get it too often. Right now it's probably the most dangerous time. We get hay stacks that spontaneously combust that's usually a little bit later in the fall, after they've bailed the hay, then it's sitting and gets hot and combusts," said Walker.

Walker said that last time they dealt with a fire like this, it was at least two years ago.