Farm safety in bushfire season: How to avoid harvester and haystack fires
Victoria Police is cracking down on the concerning number of fires sparked from reckless behaviour, while farmers are urged to take action to avoid harvester and haystack blazes. YOUR FIRE SAFETY CHECKLIST HERE
VICTORIA Police is cracking down on recklessly lit fires this summer after 26 charges were laid for just the last bushfire season.
It comes as the CFA urges farmers to take action now to avoid harvester and haystack fires — predicting a grassfire-dominated season.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Grainger said while some fires were deliberately lit, it was the number of recklessly lit fires that was a concern as they could have the same impact but could also be avoided.
“It might seem like leaving a campfire unattended or operating machinery on a total fire ban day is not a huge issue,” Mr Grainger said.
“Whether they are deliberately lit or not, the outcome is often the same.
“This is disappointing, as the situation could have been avoided if people made better choices.”
Victorians can expect a highly visible police presence in areas that are at risk of fire until March, under Operation Safeguard, launching tomorrow.
Anyone found guilty of recklessly or intentionally causing a bushfire faces a penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment, while lighting a fire on a total fire ban day can attract a fine of up to $39,000 or up to two years in jail.
Grain and livestock farmer Don Robertson from Strathkellar, near Hamilton, knows all too well how quickly a farm machinery fire can get out of hand and the importance of being prepared.
A malfunction caused his harvester to catch alight from digesting debris about two years ago.
“I was fortunate enough that I had all the appropriate fire suppression equipment on board, including a fire unit in the paddock I was working,” Mr Robertson, who grows beans, wheat and canola, said.
“With the help of the local CFA I was able to contain the blaze.”
“I was doing all of the right things. I was well prepared and was cropping on an appropriate day. If this situation unfolded on a total fire ban day, it could have been a very different ending.”
CFA crews across state respond to more than 200 harvesting related fires every year and are urging farmers to be diligent.
“We know farmers will be working extremely hard this season to harvest their crops, but it is vital that they consistently clean and maintain their machinery, as well as inspect it thoroughly before and during use,” CFA acting chief officer Garry Cook said.
“Hot and dry conditions are a particular concern for CFA; if it’s a high fire risk day, our advice is to postpone any work that was planned to be conducted in the paddock.
“It’s also important that farmers have adequate firefighting resources available in paddocks where harvesting operations are conducted.
“Being fire safe on your farm should be part of any fire plan you have.”
Mr Cook also urged all Victorian farmers to take care when storing their hay this season.
Last year, CFA crews responded to 86 haystack fires.
“Haystack fires can start quite easily from lightning strikes, sparks from equipment and machinery, but a major source of ignition is spontaneous combustion of the haybales themselves,” Mr Cook said.
Spontaneous combustion can occur when hay has either not properly dried before baling or has been exposed to rain or damp conditions, meaning moisture content in the bales is higher than the recommended levels.
From now until December, above-average rainfall is expected across Victoria due to the influence of La Niña, particularly across the northern parts and mountain regions.
Considering the outlook and current conditions, the CFA says the fire season has the potential to be a grassfire-dominated season, with shorter-duration fires in grass and dry forests during hotter and windier days.
CFA: WHAT FARMERS CAN DO TO STAY SAFE
CROP AND FARM MACHINERY FIRE SAFETY
- The key to avoiding harvester fires is diligence in clean-down and inspection.
- Postpone paddock work during the highest fire-risk periods. On hot, dry days, exercise extreme caution before harvesting, grinding, welding, slashing or mowing.
- Check the Fire Danger Rating against the Grain Harvesting Operations Guide before harvesting.
- Check for total fire ban or severe weather warnings and current fire incidents and follow recommendations.
- Avoid driving vehicles and motorbikes through dry grass or crop – the risk from the hot exhaust system is high. Driving vehicles with catalytic converters through dry grass and crops is particularly hazardous.
- Take regular breaks.
- Make it part of your routine to check for straw or grass build-up, and hot bearings.
- Check machinery to ensure that spark arrestors are maintained.
- Prepare a communication plan that includes family, contractors and neighbours.
- Prepare strategic breaks to stop fires entering or leaving your property.
- Run regular maintenance checks on farm machinery.
- Monitor machinery regularly during operations.
- Monitor weather conditions throughout the day and stop operations if it changes.
- Have the appropriate firefighting equipment in place. You’re required by law, to have a 9-litre water pressured extinguisher on hand.
More information from the CFA HERE.
HAYSTACK FIRES
- It is important to ensure hay is well cured before baling.
- Know the history of the hay you purchase.
- Keep haystacks to a limited size.
- Monitor moisture and temperature of your hay regularly.
- Watch for unusual odours such as pipe tobacco, caramel, burning or musty smells.
- Store hay in separate stacks or sheds away from farm equipment and other buildings.
- Keep your hay dry. Protect it from rain, leaking rooves or spouts, and runoff. Cover stacks with tarps or hay caps.
- Don’t stack hay right to the top of a hay shed. Allow some air to circulate at the top – this helps to carry away moisture.
Temperature Guide – what to do when your hay is overheating
Use a thermometer in a probe or insert a crowbar into the middle of the stack for 2 hours.
Less than 50C (can handle bar without discomfort): Check temperature daily.
50C – 60C (can only handle crowbar for short time): Check temperature twice daily. Remove machinery from shed.
60C – 70C (can touch bar only briefly): Check temperature every 2-4 hours. Move hay to improve air flow.
Over 70C (bar is too hot to hold): Potential for fire. Call 000 immediately. Avoid walking on top of haystack.
MORE
WHO OWNS AUSTRALIA’S ICONIC FOOD BRANDS
‘No one knew it was coming’: Tongala cow abattoir shuts
The livestock industry and local community have reacted to Greenham’s closure of its Tongala cow processing plant.
Victorians want to feel guilt-free about eating meat
Research – to guide a Victorian Government-funded pro-agriculture campaign – has revealed how consumers feel about the state’s farmers and what issues need to be addressed.