First Fire of the Season

**JDNSW** · 22nd October 2007, 01:13 PM

Our first fire of the summer has started about an hour ago, about ten kilometres from here.

Our brigade plus the neighbouring one are on site, and I have not been called out this time - too far away.

The fire is apparently a load of hay, fire started by truck exhaust. With a temperature of 30C, humidity of 16% and winds of 15-20kts, you can't be too careful.

Just heard a report from the fire truck - they stopped it only 8 - 10 m from the truck, the truck is a write off, but is now out, the hay has been pushed off the remains of the truck and they are now extinguishing it, expected to take an hour or two.

John

**Broome Defender** · 22nd October 2007, 01:21 PM

JD not good to hear. I'm with the Broome VF&R and from the start of the financial year we've had around 120 callouts. Lots of scrub fires, and a few huge scrub fires out of control. Alot of these deliberately lit. what's worse is the increasing number of MVAs. Good luck this season, hopefully it will start to rain here soon and the only thing we have to worry about are mulch piles self-igniting!

Dan

**Graz** · 22nd October 2007, 01:25 PM

We are expecting a busy fire season. High fuel load and little controlled burns accomplished due wet weather.

Our shire isn't doing a verge side pickup this year so property owners will burning it themselves which will result in a significant increase of call outs in November.

Plenty of chances to try out our new 2.4

Hope you don't get too busy. Stay safe

Cheers

**JDNSW** · 22nd October 2007, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by Broome Defender

JD not good to hear. I'm with the Broome VF&R and from the start of the financial year we've had around 120 callouts. Lots of scrub fires, and a few huge scrub fires out of control. Alot of these deliberately lit. what's worse is the increasing number of MVAs. Good luck this season, hopefully it will start to rain here soon and the only thing we have to worry about are mulch piles self-igniting!

Dan

Reports on the radio this morning of haystacks self igniting all over the Central West. People have been cutting their crops for hay as they are not worth harvesting, and it seems a lot have not been left lie in the paddock long enough.

In this area we usually have very few deliberately lit fires, although they have happened. Most of our fires are lightning (including the big one last January) - and possible thunderstorms are forecast for Thursday.

John

Roverray · 22nd October 2007, 03:51 PM

Same this way John, up at NQ property at moment and had call Sat night.Then had car burn out down road a bit.
Listened to Firecom Northern on radio yesterday and there were major fires around Townsville,
Can I appeal to all able bodied members to consider joining a rural or aux. fire brigade, either as active or support member.
We desperately need people to assist particiurally near towns and cities.
There is a very good training program which is pretty standard across Australia.
Anyone wanting info feel free to PM me.

**Bushie** · 22nd October 2007, 08:27 PM

No fires around here at the moment but we've had a few in the last couple of weeks, and a S44 (bushfire emergency) in Wollongong last week.

Our activity today has been a substantial MVA on Heathcote road today (1 semi and 14 cars) occurred around 1300 today and our guys are just leaving (2120) RTA will be milling and resealing road tonight so not going to open for a few hours yet. As you can see a substantial resource commitment.

Council:Sutherland
Report:SR07102221933-7
Address:HEATHCOTE RD X FORUM DRIVE ENGADINE
Reported:22-Oct-2007 18:10
Class:0Fire
Status:Being Controlled
Size [ha]:0
Type of Fire:MVA
Resources:
Personnel: 29-RFS; Total-29
Tankers: 6-RFS; Total-6
Other: 3-RFS; Total-3
Personnel: 10-NSWFB; Total-10
Pumpers: 2-NSWFB; Total-2
Other: 1-NSWFB; Total-1
IMT/Div: 2-NSWFB; Total-2
Latest Fire Map:
District Name:SUTHERLAND FCC
Agency Name:NSW Police

Martyn

**Blknight.aus** · 22nd October 2007, 08:44 PM

hold on....

haystacks can self ignite?

I did not know that....

whats the deal?

**Bushie** · 22nd October 2007, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

hold on....

haystacks can self ignite?

I did not know that....

whats the deal?

Spontaneous combustion.

Organic materials with the right moisture content can generate significant amounts of heat (as they decompose) if the heat is not able to be released then the material catches fire. It can also happen in large mulch piles etc.

If you've got a compost heap carefully put your hand into the middle (be careful) you will feel the heat buildup.

I bet you've heard about cotton waste and linseed oil though - same process (just a bit quicker)

Martyn

**Blknight.aus** · 22nd October 2007, 08:55 PM

the cotton and linseed oil thing I knew about but always assmed that it was a warning as most of the fires I know of involving those had other initiators and that just provided a dandy accelerant and cinder material.

I also knew that mulch piles got hot but they;re also fairly wet and was under the impression that the moisture content would be enough to stop it from flaming up.

**Slunnie** · 22nd October 2007, 09:12 PM

There was an article just recently on the problem of Hay self combusting, typically the large square bales, followed by the large round ones. Apparently the biological process heats the bale, then if the temps reach about 77 degrees a chemical process starts also which further drives the temps up. Where there are tightly stacked bales which excludes oxygen, the temps can reach up to 170-280 degrees before spontaneous combusion. The higher the moisture content at bailing, the larger the bale size and the more denser the bale results in a bale with higher internal bail temperatures.

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