THROOP, N.Y. -- This is how hot and dry this summer has been: Horse manure spontaneously burst into flames in Cayuga County.

Large piles of horse manure caught fire on July 5 near a Throop horse stable -- starting to burn during a period of"excessive" heat and drought-like conditions, said the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Winds carried smoke and the pungent scent of burning manure through the open windows of neighbors' homes, according to the DEC. After neighbors complained, firefighters and State Environmental Conservation Officer Don Damrath responded.

The flames spread "dangerously" close to a valley filled with dead trees and dry brush, according to the DEC. It took over two hours for three fire departments to completely put out the fire.

The state did not provide the stable's name or exact address. Throop is just north of the City of Auburn.

The stable owners told Damrath that it was not unusual for piles of horse manure to spontaneously catch on fire,the DEC said. But this time, instead of sending the smell away from the stables, the breeze blew the scent and smoke in the direction of neighbors, reported the DEC.

Damrath urged the stable owners to take steps to stop future piles of horse manure from combusting.