Be Fire Vigilant This Hay Production Season

As hay production season begins across New South Wales, farmers are reminded to stay vigilant and take extra precautions to prevent haystack fires, which can devastate crops, machinery and property.

Haystack fires, often sparked by damp hay bales and hot weather, pose a significant risk during this time of year, and farmers are encouraged to follow best practices to ensure their stacks - and valuable equipment - remain safe.

One of the most common causes of haystack fires is damp hay, which can heat up rapidly when stored in large stacks.

High moisture levels in hay bales create the perfect conditions for spontaneous combustion, especially when combined with rising summer temperatures.

Before storing hay, make sure it is fully cured and dry. Regularly check your haystacks for any signs of excessive heat, such as hot spots or steam.

Use a temperature probe if necessary to track internal temperatures.

It is also critical to keep machinery and expensive equipment away from hay storage areas.

A haystack fire can quickly spread to nearby machinery, causing further financial losses and increasing the risk of serious damage.

Store hay well away from any sheds housing tractors, harvesters, or other valuable machinery.

The distance can act as a buffer in case a fire does occur.

Make sure there’s a safe space around your haystack, free of dry grass, weeds or other flammable materials that could increase the fire hazard.

Haystack fires often start with little warning.

If damp hay bales heat up, a small breeze or spark can be enough to ignite them.

Once a fire starts, it can spread quickly, consuming an entire stack in just a few hours.

Farmers can significantly reduce the risk of fires by ensuring hay is stored properly and kept dry and maintaining clear, safe areas around storage sites.

• Topics:

• Firefighting / Bushfires
• Agriculture & Farming