Don't get burnt out during Harvest - A plan for fire safety management

Download our free Harvest Ready Guide to get your pre-harvest checks done before you start on the first paddock.

Most harvester fires start when dust and chaff build up on hot machine parts. High temperatures, low humidity, strong winds and dry stubble help them spread fast.

These seven steps take you from pre-harvest prep through to what to do if a fire starts.

1. Create a plan

Set a routine for high fire risk days before harvest starts. This might mean moving stock, switching off electric fences, and limiting or postponing machinery use. Make sure everyone on the property knows the routine.

Then go through your emergency plan with your workers, with a focus on fire. Agree on how you’ll raise the alarm and how you’ll stay in touch during an incident. Decide who will call 000 and what each person needs to do.

Don’t be shy about running a fire drill. It’s better to muck something up in practice than when the emergency is real.

Check that your property name or number is easy to see from the road. Emergency services need to find your entrance quickly.

2. Prepare your machinery

Do your pre-harvest inspection and keep your machinery maintenance records up to date. Check over everything. Replace any parts that look worn, and ensure bearings are well greased.

Well-maintained equipment is much less likely to fail, and machinery failure is a common cause of farm fires. Keep spares for failure-prone bearings and change them before they collapse.

Consider installing exhaust system shielding treatments. Check with your dealer first, as some exhaust insulation blankets can affect your warranty.

Check spark arrestors on machinery are working and efficient. Avoid use of petrol vehicles in paddocks or use extreme caution when driving into stubble. Try to keep the exhaust of a petrol vehicle in the wheel tracks to limit contact with straw.

3. Check the conditions

Throughout the day, keep an eye on the conditions. Factors that contribute to farm fires include relative humidity, ambient temperature, wind, and crop type and conditions.

In South Australia, the Grain Harvesting Code of Practice says to stop harvesting when the Grassland Fire Danger Index (GFDI) reaches 35, measured at 2 metres in the paddock. The GRDC Back Pocket Guide has a handy reference for reducing harvest fires.

Take extra care on High days. On Extreme and Catastrophic days, or whenever a ban is declared, stop and check your state’s guide.

4. Clean down regularly

Dust and chaff on hot parts are the main fuel for harvester fires. Keep the machine clean, especially around the manifold, turbo and exhaust.

Keep an air compressor handy and blow the machine down often. Check accumulation points every time you leave the driver’s seat. A few minutes of cleaning could save your harvester and your crop.

Some crops need more attention than others. Lentils and other pulses build up more dust and burn more easily than cereals. Depending on the crop, you may need a blow-down every boxful. Start at the front, move to the top and work down from there.

5. Check hot spots and electrics

You won’t always see smoke or flames from the cab. Walk around the harvester every time you stop and check the hot spots.

Use a handheld infrared thermometer on bearings, brakes and other hot parts. Look for rubbing or slipping belts and leaking hydraulic lines. Check places where chafing can happen, like fuel lines, battery cables, wiring and tyres.

Don’t overload electrical circuits. Always replace a blown fuse with one of the same amperage, never a higher one. A higher-rated fuse won’t protect against shorts or overloading. Drag chains and grounding cables can help shed static, but they won’t work in all conditions.

6. Have firefighting equipment on hand

Have firefighting gear on the harvester and in the paddock before you start. Here’s what to have ready:

• Water and dry powder (ABE) extinguishers fitted to the harvester
• A slip-on unit or tanker in the paddock you’re harvesting
• A knapsack spray pump
• Rakes and shovels within easy reach
• A full tank and a pump that’s been test-started

Minimum tank and extinguisher sizes vary by state, so check your local fire service’s guide. Make sure everyone on the crew knows how to run the unit.

Fire suppression systems can be fitted to most harvesters. Given the cost of a new machine and the potential crop losses, they’re worth considering.

7. Act fast if a fire starts

If a farm fire does break out, pull the machine out of the crop as quickly and safely as you can, face it into the wind and get out. A harvester can be replaced. People can’t. Make sure you put personal safety before all else.

Call 000 and enact your emergency plan. Use the equipment you’ve got on hand to fight the fire. If it gets too much for you or gets away in the crop, evacuate to a safe place.

With the right preparation, you might just avoid a fire breaking out this season. If it does, being prepared puts you in a much better position to limit any damage.

Harvest fire safety FAQs

When should you stop harvesting because of fire risk?
Stop when local conditions reach your state’s cease-harvest threshold. In South Australia, the Grain Harvesting Code of Practice uses a Grassland Fire Danger Index (GFDI) of 35. Victoria and NSW have voluntary guides that weigh up temperature, humidity and wind speed. Always stop if a harvest ban is declared for your area, and check your state’s guide before you start each day.

Can you harvest on a Total Fire Ban day?
It depends on your state, and sometimes on your local council. In WA, local governments issue Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans, which usually apply during the hottest part of the day. Ignoring one and starting a fire can mean a fine of up to $25,000, 12 months’ jail, or both. In other states, check your fire service’s rules before you start.

What firefighting equipment do you need when harvesting?
You’ll need extinguishers on the harvester and water in the paddock. CFA advises keeping a fully charged dry powder extinguisher on every vehicle and at least one large water extinguisher on each header. The NSW guide lists a knapsack spray pump of at least 16 litres among its recommended equipment. Requirements vary between states, so check yours.

What causes most harvester fires?
Most start when dust and chaff build up on hot parts like the exhaust, turbo and bearings. Worn bearings, slipping belts and electrical faults are other common causes. CFA notes pulse residue catches fire more readily than cereal residue, and Victoria sees about 200 harvest-related fires in an average summer.

Disclaimer: Content on this website may be of relevance to users outside of Australia, but content links and examples are specific to Australia. Please check with your local authority for your country and industry requirements.