Farm Firewise
The key to surviving a bush fire is being prepared. Fire protection is the land owners responsibility. Farm FireWise helps rural landholders prepare for and prevent bush fires by identifying the best fire protection strategies for your property and in your circumstances.
The Farm FireWise Checklist and Action Plan can be downloaded here, or you can request one through your local Fire Control Centre.
The Farm FireWise approach:
- Takes you through a Checklist that helps you identify the fire risks on your property
- Helps you develop and action plan addressing those risks
- Hints and tips about reducing fire hazards on your property
- How to prevent bush fires from starting
- And what are the right clothes to wear when fighting a bush fire
NSW Agriculture coordinates the provision of animal relief services and rehabilitation assistance to primary producers and has extensive information on how rural landholders can best manage their property and livestock during bush fire.
Haystack fire safety
Hay fires can generate enough heat to self-combust if it is wet or not cured properly when stacked and stored. Farmers and landholders should check hay sheds and stacks regularly and store machinery separately to reduce the risk of hay fires. To check the temperature of hay bales, carefully break a bale open or ram a crowbar or metal rod into stacks. If the bar or metal rod comes out hot then pull the stack apart as soon as possible. The loss of hay and sheds can be dramatic, and if machinery is stored in the same area the cost of losses can be severe.
Crop harvesting
Farmers must take precautions during the harvest season as operating machinery in extreme fire conditions is dangerous. You should take all possible measures to minimise the risk of fire. Fires are regularly experienced during harvest in stubble as well as standing crops. The main cause is hot machinery combining with combustible material. This is exacerbated on hot, dry, windy days. Seasonal conditions can also contribute to lower moisture content in grain and therefore a higher risk of fires.
Livestock
Landholders can easily reduce the risk imposed on farm animals and livestock during bush fire by preparing and maintaining fuel-reduced areas. This means planning to use fallow paddocks, well grazed smaller paddocks or raceways, irrigated pasture or summer crop areas. Identify the safest paddock on your property or neighbouring property. The ideal location is one which contains sufficient food, water and shade in a paddock that is fenced with easy access If fire does threaten livestock, remove all equipment and coverings and hose them down ensuring they stay wet. Allow animals to roam in an open space with little vegetation. Livestock are more likely to survive fires and suffer minimal burns if given the maximum space to roam, therefore do not place animals in stable or small yards.
Using machinery
To assist in preventing machinery fires it is imperative that all headers, chaser bins, tractors and augers be regularly cleaned and maintained. All machinery and vehicles must have an effective spark arrester fitted to the exhaust system to prevent fires. To prevent overheating of tractors, motorcycles, off road vehicles and other mechanical equipment, all machinery needs to be properly serviced and maintained. Keeping fire fighting equipment available and maintained is not just common sense, it is a legal requirement.
You must take great care when using this equipment outdoors. Tips on machinery include:
- be extremely careful when using cutters and welders to repair plant equipment including angle grinders, welders and cutting equipment
- ensure machinery components including brakes and bearings do not overheat, as these components can drop hot metal onto the ground, starting a fire
- use machinery correctly as incorrect usage can cause it to overheat and ignite
- be aware that when blades of slashers, mowers and similar equipment mat hit rocks or metal causing sparks to ignite dry grass
- avoid using machinery during inappropriate weather conditions such as high temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions
- work into a hazard-free, clean working area rather than working in the field such as on bare ground, concrete or workshop
- Keep machinery clean and as free from fine debris as possible as this can reduce onboard ignitions as well
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