URGENT UPDATE: As hay season kicks off in the western and northwestern regions of Victoria, farmers are being urgently warned about the heightened risk of haystack fires. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has reported responding to 73 haystack and hay shed fires between June 30, 2024, and July 1, 2025, with a staggering 53 percent occurring in these vulnerable areas.
These fires are often triggered by spontaneous combustion when bales are packed with excessive moisture. The CFA highlights that high moisture levels combined with the dense formation of hay can create internal heat, ultimately leading to ignition. “What goes wrong is essentially hay is baled at a high moisture,” warns David Manifold, a farmer and group officer in Buloke West. He emphasizes that leaving hay out to dry for extended periods can escalate yeast and mold growth, making hay highly flammable.
“The yeast and mold levels can get so high that any ingression of water is as good as throwing a match on it,” Manifold stated. To mitigate these risks, he employs innovative technologies, including machinery designed to shorten the baling window to less than seven days. This is critical for keeping yeast and mold levels to a minimum.
Additionally, Manifold utilizes a temperature probe that relays crucial data to a central bay station on his farm. He receives alerts when temperatures reach 40 to 50 degrees, allowing for immediate action before potential fires ignite.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan stressed the importance of early preparation and proper storage solutions to minimize fire risks. “With a large number of haystack fires in the past financial year, the impact on farmers and their livelihoods is clear,” Heffernan noted. He further explained that haystack fires can have devastating effects, not only on individual farms but also on neighboring properties and emergency services.
Heffernan advises farmers to store hay in separate stacks or in sheds, well away from farm equipment and buildings, to prevent the spread of fire. As hay season progresses, farmers are urged to stay vigilant and proactive in fire prevention measures.
The CFA continues to monitor the situation and urges all farmers in the affected regions to implement safety measures immediately. This is a critical time; ensuring the safety of haystacks is essential for protecting both property and livelihoods.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops, and share this information with fellow farmers to raise awareness about the urgent risk of haystack fires this season.
