
Lessons from a devastating crop fire
Berkshire farmer Colin Rayner shares his tips for lowering the risk and battling crop fires this harvest after losing 19ha in a huge blaze on his farm.
All Credit goes to: Farmers Weekly Video
https://www.youtube.com/user/FarmersWeeklyVideo/
Harvest Fire Nightmare? This Could Save You!
A Farmer Reveals Top 5 Critical Fire Safety Procedures for a Safe Harvest Season
Harvest season is always a high-stakes time. We're working long hours, pushing our equipment hard, and dealing with dry conditions - it's a perfect storm for fires. I've seen too many good machines go up in smoke, and it's not just the loss of the equipment; it's the downtime, the lost crops, and the constant worry. We all know that feeling when you smell something burning and your heart just sinks. While we rely on our big extinguishers, a tool like the Fire Safety Stick can be a game-changer, especially for those quick-response situations. I want to share some procedures we use on our farm to make sure we're confident and ready to use them effectively.
Understanding the Fire Safety Stick: A Farmer's Perspective
Now, these Fire Safety Sticks are different than your typical extinguisher. They're compact and aerosol-based, and they work by releasing this stuff that displaces the oxygen and interrupts the fire. What I like about them is that they're easy to mount right on the combine or tractor, so they're always within reach. They're also pretty simple to use, which is crucial when you're dealing with a fire and adrenaline is pumping. But, and this is important, they're not a replacement for everything. You still need your bigger extinguishers for larger fires, and you need to know the limitations of these sticks, like how long they last.
Think of it like this: we had a situation a couple of years back where a combine caught fire in the thresher - a real common problem. The operator didn't have a Fire Safety Stick on him, but a guy in the next field did. He ran over and threw the stick into the thresher, and it helped to keep the fire down until the fire brigade got there. It didn't put it out completely, but it stopped it from spreading and turning into a total loss. That's the kind of situation where these sticks shine for quick-response fire safety.
Top 5 Essential Fire Safety Procedures During Harvest
Procedure 1: Proactive Prevention is Paramount for Preventing Farm Fires
Like any farmer will tell you, prevention is worth its weight in gold. Here's what we do:
Regular Machinery Maintenance:
- We're religious about cleaning our combines, tractors, and balers. We're constantly blowing off that dry plant material that builds up, especially around the engine and exhaust. We also keep a close eye on any leaks, fuel or oil, and check the electrical systems to make sure there are no faulty wires that could spark a machinery fire.
Awareness of Environmental Conditions:
- We're always watching the weather. High temperatures, low humidity, and wind - that's a recipe for disaster. We'll often adjust our work schedule to avoid the hottest parts of the day to minimize harvest fire risk.
Refueling Precautions:
- We let our machines cool down before refueling. It takes a bit longer, but it's not worth the risk of fuel igniting on a hot engine. We also make sure we have spill kits handy for fuel safety.
Creating Firebreaks:
- We make sure we have equipment ready to cut firebreaks in the fields, you know, strips of bare earth to stop a field fire from spreading.
No Smoking Policies:
- We have a strict no-smoking policy in and around the fields and machinery. We designate specific smoking areas far away from anything that could burn to prevent smoking fire hazards.
Procedure 2: Strategic Placement and Accessibility of Fire Safety Equipment
When a fire starts, you don't have time to go searching for an extinguisher. Here's how we make sure our Fire Safety Sticks are always ready:
Mounting on Machinery:
- We mount these sticks securely on our combines, tractors, and other equipment, within easy reach of the operator. We use good, sturdy brackets so they don't bounce around and are easy to grab in a hurry during a farm emergency.
Placement in Support Vehicles and Areas:
- We also keep extra sticks in our trucks, service vehicles, and at places like the field office or refueling areas for comprehensive farm fire preparedness.
Clear Marking and Visibility:
- We make sure these sticks are visible and marked, so anyone can grab one in an emergency, ensuring easy access to fire safety.
Procedure 3: Training and Familiarisation with Fire Safety Training
You can't be fumbling with a Fire Safety Stick when there's a fire right in front of you. That's why training is key for effective emergency response:
Reading the Instructions:
- We make damn sure everyone reads the instructions for each Fire Safety Stick. They're all a bit different, and you need to know how they work for proper fire extinguisher use.
Hands-on Practice:
- We run drills, simulate fire scenarios, and practice using the sticks. We practice activating them, aiming at the base of the fire, and using a sweeping motion for effective fire drill training.
Understanding Capabilities:
- Everyone needs to know how far these sticks spray and how long they last. This helps you use them effectively and decide when you need to call for more help, improving fire safety awareness.
Procedure 4: Confident and Effective Use in a Farm Fire Emergency
When a fire breaks out, you need to act fast and smart for effective emergency action plan execution:
Prioritize Safety:
- First things first, we make sure everyone is safe. We turn off the machine, get everyone away from the fire, and call the fire brigade immediately.
Rapid Response:
- We grab the Fire Safety Stick and go. The faster you act, the better your chances of containing the fire with quick fire suppression.
Proper Technique:
- Aim at the base of the fire, use a sweeping motion, and use the whole stick for optimal fire fighting techniques.
When to Escalate:
- You need to know when the fire is too big for the stick and when to call for backup. Don't hesitate to call the professionals for professional fire response.
Procedure 5: Post-Fire Actions and Ongoing Fire Prevention
Even after the fire is out, there's still work to do for continuous farm safety improvement:
Cooling and Monitoring:
- We make sure the fire is completely out and keep an eye on the area in case it reignites, ensuring thorough post-fire safety.
Reporting:
- We report the incident, as required, for proper incident reporting.
Replenishment:
- We replace any used Fire Safety Sticks immediately to maintain emergency preparedness.
Review and Improvement:
- We take a hard look at what happened and see if we can improve our procedures. This might mean more training, better maintenance, or changes to our fire prevention plan.
Look, fires are a major threat during harvest. But with the right tools and procedures, we can minimize the risk. Fire Safety Sticks are a valuable addition to our fire-fighting arsenal, but they're only as good as the people using them. By following these procedures - preventing fires in the first place, having the right equipment in the right place, training everyone properly, acting confidently in an emergency, and learning from every incident - we can protect our lives, our livelihoods, and our crops. We owe it to ourselves, our families, and our communities to take fire safety seriously, every single harvest season.


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Fire Safety Stick Pro 50
£82.50
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Fire Safety Stick 100 Sec – PRO
£112.00
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