Preventing Harvest Fires

August and September have been dry with higher-than-normal day time temperatures prevailing. Crops are drying down quick so harvest may be early. All that dry tinder may create fire hazards when harvest equipment starts rolling. Dry corn and soybean leaves, crop dust, and dry grass are all highly combustible for potential harvest fires. Hot equipment, especially engines and hot exhaust, plus friction from fast moving gears and belts, hot hydraulic hoses, or hot bearings; it’s no wonder harvest fire hazards are common. Here is a list several precautions from OSU Extension that farmers can take to protect their harvest equipment from starting fires.

When combines get used for many hours, they get hot; so park them away from buildings and especially fueling stations. You might not only lose a combine, but also farm buildings or a fueling station. Regular maintenance is required. Check the machine daily for any overheated bearings or damage to the exhaust system. Grease the machine regularly. Keep coolants and oil levels at their proper level. Repair hydraulic oil lines, including fittings and metal lines, if they appear to leak. Also check the fuel system.

During extremely dry and hot temperatures; it’s even more important to blow off chaff, leaves, and crop residue off the machine on a regular basis. Check for crop debris around the engine and hot exhausts and inspect for hot bearings, belts, and areas where friction occurs.

Most harvesters now have a slew of electrical components. A small spark from a malfunctioning electrical system can create a huge costly fire. Do a general inspection of all electrical wiring systems and replace when they get worn. If fuses keep tripping, that’s a major warning sign for a potential fire hazard. Avoid static electricity by dragging chains on the ground and attached to the combine frame to prevent static electrical charges that may ignite dry crop residue.

When refueling a combine, either let it cool down or refuel in the morning if possible. Turn the engine off and wait 15 minutes if it is hot. Avoid spilling fuel or oil or any flammable liquids on hot engine parts. When parking vehicles, watch the hot exhaust which can ignite dry vegetation along a field.

Be careful on a hot windy day! Once a fire gets started, it can burn up a whole field and more. In this part of the country, we are not used to seeing forest or prairie fires, but a burning field of corn and even soybeans can be quite terrifying and destructive. If conditions are dangerous, consider delaying harvest until winds die down or until precipitation occurs to reduce the risk of fire. Some farmers wait till late evening or early morning to harvest to preserve moisture in the grain.

To protect against combine fires, it is recommended to have a 10-pound ABC fire extinguisher in the cab and another 20 pound one at ground level. Keep another one in the grain cart, tractor or pick-up truck. Have 1 fully charged fire extinguisher in the tractor, grain cart, and pickup truck. Use at the first sign of smoke or small flames. When it is really dry, have portable water and a shovel nearby. Shovels can be used to throw clean soil on a fire, whether on equipment, or one that is starting in a field. Watering tanks can stop a small fire quickly before it gets out of control.

If a fire starts in a field or on equipment, worker safety becomes priority number one. Turn off the engine and exit the cab. Call 911 for help immediately. Use a 10-pound ABC fire extinguisher if the fire is in the cab. If the fire is inside the equipment, be careful. Opening the coverings often adds extra oxygen which can make the fire even worse. Use the 20-pound fire extinguisher and keep a safe distance away from the fire.

On field fires, use a shovel and/or a portable water tank to stop the fire from spreading. It is advisable to have an emergency plan for all farm employees and family members. The plan helps stop a fire quickly and helps keep everyone safe.

Homeowners also need to be careful during harvest time. Some people still burn trash, especially in the country. During hot, dry, droughty conditions, especially when it is windy; this can be a recipe for disaster. Avoid mowing lawns around dry fields or operating chainsaws or any type of hot equipment if at all possible. While hot combines start many field fires, any hot or malfunctioning piece of equipment can start a fire too.