The CFA has issued a warning to farmers after a recent haystack fire resulted in the loss of 1200 bales.
Haystack fires can have disastrous consequences, with not only the loss of feed an economic and livestock concern, but the destruction of sheds, tools, and essential farming equipment posing a significant challenge for farmers to navigate too.
With summer officially here, it is important to ensure haybales are stacked correctly and checked often to minimise the risk of a fire, which is often caused by spontaneous combustion when hay is baled with excess moisture.
High moisture levels, combined with the compact nature of haybales, creates internal heat which can lead to ignition.
CFA District 16 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Stephen Alcock said the incident in Coonooer West earlier this month served as a reminder for farmers to closely monitor their haystacks.
“These fires demonstrate the devastating impact haystack fires can have,” he said.
“Once a fire starts, it spreads rapidly through the bales, making it extremely challenging to contain.
“High moisture levels in hay, often from baling too early in the day when it’s dewy or after rain, are a major contributor to spontaneous combustion.”
Mr Alcock also stressed the dangers of storing machinery with haybales.
“Storing machinery with haybales is a recipe for disaster,” he said.
“If a fire starts in the haystack, it can quickly spread to nearby machinery, which can halt important farming operations until new equipment arrives.
“The safest option is to store hay in a separate area well away from equipment and other buildings.
“Haystack fires don’t just affect individual properties, they can spread to neighbouring farms and require extensive emergency services resources.
“Regular monitoring and proper storage can turn what might have been a major issue into something manageable.”
To store haybales safely, ensure hay is well cured before baling. Keep haystacks to a limited size and store them in separate stacks or sheds away from farm equipment and other buildings. Hay must be kept dry, and protected from rain, leaking roofs or spouts, and runoff.
Haystacks should never be stacked to the top of a shed, as this prevents air circulation and can exacerbate moisture build up.
To check hay, use a thermometer in a probe or insert a crowbar into the middle of the stack for two hours. If the thermometer reads less than 50 or the crowbar can be handled without discomfort, continue checking the temperature daily. If it reads between 50–60 degrees, or the crowbar can only be handled for a short time, check the temperature twice daily.
For a reading between 60–70, or if the crowbar can only be touched briefly, check the temperature every two or four hours, and move the hay to improve air flow. Readings over 70, or when the bar is too hot to hold indicate a significant fire risk, and farmers should call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Do not attempt to walk on the hay or pull it apart as this may provide the hay with the oxygen it needs to ignite.
