Posted: 10.18.2010

Rural Mutual Insurance Company is urging farmers to take fire safety precautions as the harvest season continues.

Rural Mutual, the top insurer of farms in Wisconsin, said that farmers should properly prepare their machinery for harvesting, including having a working fire extinguisher on combines. A spark from a combine can set fire to dry plants and field debris and cause considerable damage to equipment. The company said combine fires not only can lead to lost time, but to substantial property damage and even injury or loss of life.

This fall’s dry field conditions are ideal for a successful harvest, and are also prime conditions for the danger of combine fires. Dry crop residue provides the tinder, and a small spark or heat source is all that is necessary for a combine fire to start. The company is reminding farmers to remove combustible harvest debris several times a day.

The company said routine maintenance will also help reduce the risk of fire. Checking exhaust systems for leaks, damage or accumulation of crop residue, along with fixing oil, fuel or hydraulic leaks will also help reduce fire risk. Allowing engines to cool before refueling is another safety measure.  

The company said the few minutes a farmer spends on cleaning, maintenance and refueling, and also having a working fire extinguisher are insignificant compared to the property damage or injury that can be caused by a fire.

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