HORSE MANAGEMENT ARTICLES
Prevent Hay Fires
The principal way to avoid fire resulting from internal heating is to bale hay at proper moisture levels. Hay will usually cure and store with a very low risk of fire if it is baled at 18% - 23% moisture. Some sources recommend when placing hay inside a barn that round bales should not contain any more than 18%, while square bales should contain no more than 20% moisture. Hay that is suspected of being to wet should be stored outside for at least 3-6 weeks (or more depending on moisture) until the danger of combustion due to heating is past. New crop hay should never be placed against dry hay. The danger of fire from heating of hay of higher than optimum moisture can be decreased somewhat by "loose stacking" the bales so good air movement and ventilation can occur.
Hay temperatures are more likely to build to dangerous levels during the first three weeks after baling. If hay reaches a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, there is a serious fire risk. Temperatures below 120 degrees Fahrenheit are normal, and 120 to 140 degree readings are entering the caution range. One way to check hay temperatures is simply by using a probe with a thermometer, or by fitting a sharpened end on an appropriate length of 1/2-in. pipe. Drive the pipe into the hay and then lower a thermometer into the pipe to monitor baled hay temperatures. The more the temperatures are checked, the better awareness of the risk. A common sense way to check the temperature is to take something like a ground rod, penetrate the bale and let it stay for about 5 minutes and pull it out. If the penetrating end of the rod is to hot to hold on to, then the caution flag should go up.
The combustion of baled hay causing a fire may result in not only the loss of the hay but also possibly farm structures, machinery and livestock. Caution should be exercised when storing hay that you suspect has been baled containing too much moisture.
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