Iowa's fields dry out this week and combines are ready to roll. It's a good time to review fire preparedness practices.

Iowa farmers are reminded to think about the potential for combine or field fires this fall as harvest season gets underway.

While most of Iowa saw rainfall in mid-September, the past week has been dry as combines begin to roll across most of the state.  The possibility of fire increases with dry conditions, low humidity and high winds.

“Fires cause millions of dollars in property damage, including loss of machinery, crops and time,” said Joshua Michel, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomist in northeast Iowa. “Unfortunately, injuries to farm workers and firefighters may also occur.”

Michel said modern combines are powerful machines and can produce excessive amounts of heat.  

All it takes to start a fire is a single high-temperature source in the engine area or an overheated bearing to ignite dry plant material.

Safety tips

While it’s impossible to remove the heat from the engine, hydraulics and other hard-working systems, Michel said farmers can minimize the risk of fires by taking a few minutes and following important fire prevention steps and safety tips.

“The most important tip to consider is making sure to take time and keep the machines clean, blow out filters, remove excess dirt/plant residue from collection areas on the machine,” Michel said.  

“A second tip would be to stay aware of changing weather conditions, especially when it becomes windy and we have low humidity levels. Have a plan just in case there is a fire — the field location when you call 911, have a fire extinguisher and maybe have a disk hooked up to a tractor to help create a fire break in a field.”

Additional fire prevention and safety tips include:

• Keep the machine clean, particularly around the engine and engine compartment.

• Frequently check air filters, ensuring that they stay clean.

• Check coolant and oil levels daily.

• Check the pressurized oil supply line to the turbocharger for wear areas that rub and may start an oil leak.

• At the end of each day, blow leaves, chaff and plant material from the engine area.

• Remove plant materials wrapped on or near any bearings, belts, chains or other moving parts.

• Examine the exhaust or any hot bearing surfaces. Repair leaking fuel or oil hoses, fittings or metal lines immediately.

• Inspect and clean ledges or recessed areas near fuel tanks and lines.

• Prior to refueling, turn the combine off and wait 15 minutes to reduce the risk of a spill volatilizing and igniting.

• Delay harvest activity if weather conditions deteriorate.

• In case of fire, turn off the engine, get away from the machine and call 911. Then attack with fire extinguishers if it is safe to do so.

• A fire can double in size in less than a minute, so be aware of possible additional fires.

• It is recommended to have two ABC-rated fire extinguishers on hand: a smaller 10-pound unit in the cab and a larger 20-pound extinguisher at ground level on the combine.

• Invert the fire extinguisher once or twice during the season to ensure that machine vibrations don’t compact the powder inside.

• Keep a shovel on the combine to throw dirt on a fire.

• Create a list with the 911 addresses for each of your field locations prior to harvest and have them easily accessible to family members and farm employees.