Harvest fires spark safety warnings for Norfolk farmers

The hot, dry weather has brought combine harvesters into the fields for the busiest period in the farming calendar.

But several blazes have also ignited in the tinder-dry conditions.

In just three days between last Saturday and Monday, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) was called to 30 fires in the open.

And on Tuesday, eight crews were needed to deal with 50 acres of stubble and a combine harvester which were burning in a field in Hackford, near Hingham.

A 50-acre stubble field and a combine harvester caught fire on Tuesday at Hackford, near Hingham (Image: Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service)

NFRS works closely with the county's farming community, and its head of prevention and protection, Emyr Gough, said: "We understand the devastating impact fires can have on farmers livelihoods and just how quickly these fires spread in hot, dry conditions.

“We’d like to reassure our farming community in Norfolk that we are here to help protect them, their businesses and neighbouring properties.

"Please follow the guidance we have set out on our website and contact us if you need any further support, by filling in the form on our website and choosing ‘business safety query’.”

A 50-acre stubble field and a combine harvester caught fire on Tuesday at Hackford, near Hingham (Image: Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service)

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service's guidance includes:

· Prepare a fire routine and action plan so all farm workers know what to do if a fire breaks out.

· If a fire breaks out in a field, call 999 immediately. If it is safe to do so, farmers can create a fire break themselves while crews are on their way, by ploughing a circular area around the fire, starting downwind where you won’t breathe in any smoke. NFRS said: "This has been really effective at a number of field fires we have attended."

· Ensure bales are stacked in a location away from roads and buildings, limit their size and make sure they have space between them.

· Consider introducing a different, less flammable crop in fields of wheat and barley to serve as a fire break.

· Consider extra security measures for your farmland such as CCTV, lighting and security notices to reduce the risk of arson.

· Keep adequate fire equipment on site and consider water sources which could aid with NFRS operations, such as tanks and bowsers.

· Keep machinery well maintained. Blow it down daily, carry a fire extinguisher and investigate any smoke promptly. Consider a fire suppression system for combines.

· Set up communications links with your neighbouring farming community. Communicate if a fire breaks out and seek additional equipment for putting in fire breaks and bowsers for water supplies.

· Maintain access points to your farmland for NFRS, which recommends downloading the free What3Words app and logging the three words given for each access point. 

· Consider harvesting fields from the highest point first and upwind, where possible, to reduce the fire spreading rapidly. Keep a plough nearby to create a fire break, if needed.

· Follow "the 30s rule" – during 30mph winds, 30-degree heat and sub-30pc humidity, fires will spread uncontrollably. In these conditions, consider leaving harvesting until the evening when the temperature drops below 30 degrees.

While some fires are accidentally caused by a spark in farm machinery, others are ignited deliberately. Farmers are urged to report any suspicious behaviour to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

For more farm fire safety advice see www.norfolk.gov.uk/article/43872/Fire-safety-on-the-farm.