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 From
lack of precipitation to low soil moisture and dry vegetation,
these conditions, when paired with hot, running farm equipment,
increase fire chances.
“Contributing environmental risk factors for fire include a lack
of precipitation, low soil moisture, low humidity, high winds,
and warm daily temperatures,” says Trent Ford, state
climatologist with Illinois State Water Survey at University of
Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
When dry fields and environmental risks combine with long work
hours, delayed equipment maintenance and cleaning, part
failures, and debris-clogged cooling systems — chances of a fire
starting are greatly increased, says Ford.
Prepare for high fire risk conditions with farm fire safety tips
from climate and agricultural safety experts at University of
Illinois Extension, Illinois Water Survey, USDA Agricultural
Research Service, NOAA, and Illinois Emergency Management
Agency.
-
Check the weather
forecast. If conditions are expected to be dry and windy,
wait.
-
Ensure the farm
address is clearly visible from the road.
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Always know the
exact field identification and location.
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Access to water,
fire extinguishers, and fire blankets.
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Access to equipment
to create potential fire breaks.
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Maintain, clean,
and monitor equipment for fire potential.
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Smoke detectors in
buildings with alerts connected to a phone.
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Have a plan for all
livestock.
Equipment fires, specifically combine-related fires, are one of
the most common and expensive types of incidents in production
agriculture. Fires not only put producers’ lives at risk, but
there is a chance of total loss of equipment and crops, pausing
harvest until standby is available.
“Farm harvest delays cause stress and anxiety for
farmers and their families,” says Extension Specialist and
Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Assistant
Professor Josie Rudolphi.
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Like equipment, straw, and hay can become
combustibles, systems can have electrical flaws or pumps run dry,
and during quick repairs, there is always a chance of sparking off
welders, causing ignitions.
“It is extremely important to inspect farm buildings and evaluate
storage conditions and upkeep,” says Jay Solomon, Illinois Extension
educator whose focus is farm facility management.
Harvest takes over the fall season in the Midwest, but day-to-day
farm operation decisions are critical to ensure a profitable crop
and safe harvest season. Increased awareness, preparation, and
slowing down for safety may help to save a life.
For more information and resources on farm fire risks, download the
fact sheet at go.illinois.edu/FarmFireRisks. For questions, contact
Illinois Extension at extension.illinois.edu.
ABOUT ILLINOIS EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads
public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research
into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and
community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and
adapt to changes and opportunities. Illinois Extension is part of
the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural,
Consumer and Environmental Sciences.
SOURCE: Trent Ford, State Climatologist, University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign; Josie Rudolphi, Extension Specialist and Assistant
Professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of
Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Jay Solomon, Natural Resources,
Environment, and Energy Educator, Illinois Extension.
[Jenna Braasch,
Media Communications Coordinator,
Illinois Extension]
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