“Harvest time can be very dangerous and each season unfortunately we see machinery and vehicles spark fires,” CFA District 22 assistant chief fire officer Tony Owen said.
“Just yesterday [Wednesday, December 18] crews responded to a header fire in District 22 which unfortunately resulted in substantial equipment and crop loss,” he said.
“CFA volunteer firefighters respond to more than 200 harvesting-related fires a year on average.
“Not only do these fires put pressure on our volunteers, many of whom are farmers themselves, but it also puts farmers’ profits and safety at risk.”
Hot and dry conditions are a particular concern for the CFA, Mr Owen said
“If it’s a high fire risk day, our advice is to postpone any work that was planned to be conducted in the paddock.
“In these conditions activities such as harvesting, grinding, welding, slashing or mowing can spark fires very easily and they can become dangerous quite quickly.”
Over the coming days there are expected spikes in the weather across District 22 where conditions are not optimal for harvesting.
Farmers are strongly encouraged to check the CFA Voluntary Grain Harvesting Guide prior to initiating harvesting operations.
People can download a copy of the guide at: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/534/CFA%20Grain%20Harvesting%20Guide%20-%20Version%202.pdf
Should a fire break out during harvesting operations, prompt reporting by calling 000 is critical. Exact locations and access points are incredibly helpful for responding crews.
The CFA reminds farmers to ensure machinery such as headers are routinely maintained, moving parts and bearings are regularly inspected and cleaned of any material on hot engine components.
“It should be part of everyone’s routine to check for straw or grass build-ups in machinery, to maintain its spark arrestors, and to take regular breaks when operating machinery to ensure it doesn’t get too hot,” Mr Owen said.
The CFA reminds farmers to have adequate firefighting resources available in paddocks where harvesting operations are conducted.
“We would strongly encourage people to consider what they would need above and beyond minimum requirements should a fire take hold,” Mr Owen said.
The CFA also produces guidelines for Operating Private Equipment at Fires. Find it at: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/550/2016_Private_Equipment_Guidelines_edn2_jun16.pdf
Crop and farm machinery fire safety
- The most common cause of header fires is material collecting on hot engine components such as the manifold, exhaust and turbocharger.
- The key to avoiding header 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 Voluntary Grain Harvesting Guide before harvesting (see link above).
- 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 or diesel particulate filters 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 becomes hot and dry.
- Have the appropriate firefighting equipment in place. You’re required by law, to have a 9-litre water pressured extinguisher on hand.
For more information, go to: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/operating-farming-machinery-equipment-and-vehicles
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