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UPDATE, 2pm: Both fires have been marked safe.
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EARLIER, 1pm: Firefighters are monitoring two separate hay bale fires in central Victoria.
About 12 Country Fire Authority vehicles responded to an eight hectare fire at a Woodstock West property, about the size of 30 hay bales.
Units from Baringhup, Dunolly, Inglewood, Lockwood, Maiden Gully, Marong, Newbridge and Woodstock West attended.
The fire was deemed safe just before 1pm, about two hours after the call for help was received.
Meanwhile, firefighters from Colbinabbin, Stanhope and Rushworth were attending a 1.5 hectare hay bale fire at Gobarup.
Firefighters received the call for help about 12.15pm.
They were still at the scene when the Bendigo Advertiser called just before 1pm.
The fire was under control.
Spontaneous combustion is the state’s leading cause of haystack fires, the CFA website states.
Other causes include sparks from machinery and equipment, and embers.
The cause of the fires at Woodstock West and Gobarup is not yet known.
The CFA advises the following for the prevention of haystack fires:
- Ensure hay is fully cured before bailing
- Know the history of the hay you purchase
- Keep haystacks to a limited size
Store:
- In separate stacks
- In a number of places away from key assets
- Away from possible sources of ignition (roadsides, powerlines workshops and vegetation). Never store vehicles, machinery and equipment in your hayshed - there is increased risk of losing both hay and machinery
- In areas that are not likely to flood and in sheds that are in good repair to minimise the moisture content
- Consider using temporary fencing to allow stock to graze close to hay and silage stores to reduce fuel loads near these assets
- Don't stack hay right to the top of a hay shed. Allow some air to circulate at the top - this helps to carry away moisture
- Protect hay from rain, leaking roofs and spouts
- Monitor hay with a correctly calibrated moisture meter. Moisture content should be no more than 20 per cent (12 - 18 per cent is recommended as a precaution).
If hay gets too hot
- Spread out the stack to allow to cool.
- Don't walk on top of hay that is heating as it may collapse or ignite. Have your local fire brigade in attendance when pulling apart a hot haystack.
- Don't feed to animals. The heating process reduces the nutrient quality of the hay.
Hay cutting and carting
- Your vehicle's exhaust system should have:
- A fire-resistant cover on the load
- A spark shield, OR
- Be located under the body of the vehicle so emissions are away from the hay.
- A fire-resistant cover on the load
- A fire-resistant cover on the load
- A spark shield, OR
- Be located under the body of the vehicle so emissions are away from the hay.
- Be conscious of hot exhaust in contact with long dry grass