FARMERS in – or heading into – harvest, cutting crops and hay, got a seriously expensive warning about the fire season potential when more than 6000 bales of hay – worth more than $1 million – went up in a Kerang firestorm last week.
Firefighters came from every direction – in the end 27 fire trucks were at the scene – but fighting hit, windy conditions as well as the flames, they could not save the seven sheds where the hay had been stored.
With the El Nino still haunting coming months, last Saturday was declared a total fire ban for the Mallee.
Mildura’s fire danger period began on October 30, while Swan Hill and Gannawarra introduced their fire danger periods on November 6. All three will maintain their controls until May 1 next year.
Kerang Fire Brigade captain Ramon Steel said he had been a fireman for 39 years and a captain for 19, and this was the worst fire he had witnessed.
“The ember attack was just incredible and the wind was just relentless – it was unpredictable and kept changing direction,” he said.
“The first crews on the scene did a remarkable job under a massive ember attack and smoke to contain it to the seven sheds; it was an incredible effort.”
Haystack fires, unfortunately, are not unusual to the CFA – it responded to 52 haystack fires between July 1 last year and June 30 this year.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said if hay was baled with high moisture content and was green, it could heat up like compost, which could lead to spontaneous combustion weeks, or months, later.
“Farmers who have decided to carry on with hay production need to be extra vigilant this year to make sure conditions are right for making hay and for the future storage and transport as well,” he said.
“Hay fires are a real threat to properties and stock in primary production areas.
“Whether you’re a seasoned hay grower or switching to hay this year, it’s imperative to take care of your hay and crops this fire season.
“Consider the storage of your hay to avoid spontaneous combustion, which can lead to ignition.”
When hay is either not properly cured and dried out before baling, or not stored to protect it from rain or damp conditions, moisture content in the bales is then higher than the recommended level.
If stored in environments with high temperatures and little airflow, a biological reaction could lead to a fire.
Haystack fires can also start easily from lightning strikes or sparks from equipment.
“You should regularly monitor your haystacks by using a temperature probe or a crowbar to detect heating hay,” Mr Heffernan said.
“Signs of heating hay can include steam rising from the stack or unusual odours like burning, must, pipe tobacco smell or a caramel smell.
“By being vigilant, you’re protecting yourself from the financial impact of losing valuable fodder and protecting your property and family from the potential danger of hay fires.”
Haystack tips
• Ensure hay is well cured before baling.
• Know the history of the hay you purchase.
• Keep haystacks to a limited size and separate your haystacks.
• 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
Use a thermometer in a probe or insert a crowbar into the middle of the stack for two hours.
• Less than 50 degrees can handle the crowbar without discomfort. Check temperature daily.
• Between 50 and 60 degrees can only handle crowbar for short time. Check temperature twice daily.
• Between 60 and 70 degrees means the bar can be touched only briefly. Check temperature every two to four hours. Move hay to improve air flow.
• More than 70 degrees means the bar is too hot to hold. Potential for fire. Call 000 immediately. Avoid walking on top of haystack. At this stage pulling apart the hay may provide the oxygen it needs to ignite.
