High-moisture haystacks and bales can catch on fire because they have chemical reactions that build heat. ... When hay's internal temperature rises above 130 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius), a chemical reaction begins to produce flammable gas that can ignite if the temperature goes high enough.

Can hay just catch on fire by itself?

Plant reactions and bacterial growth combine to raise temperatures in even the driest hay bales, although most never catch fire on their own. However, when hay is packed tightly, and enough moisture gets in, the conditions may be right for spontaneous hay combustion.

Can hay bales explode?

STILLWATER — It might sound strange, but with no apparent ignition source, hay bales can burst into flames and cause much damage to storage facilities or spark a raging wildfire. ... At 20 percent moisture, the hay is considered dry. However, mold will grow through respiration and produce heat until that point.

How do you stop hay from burning?

The best way to reduce the risk of a hay fire is to bale hay at a moisture content of 20 percent or less. Haymaking conditions: Recommended weather conditions are a slight wind and humidity level of 50 percent or less. Hay has a higher moisture content in the morning, so consider baling later in the day.

Is burning hay toxic?

Smoldering and burning hay can be the source of toxic gases. Carbon monoxide can be concentrated within the smoldering fire and surrounding area. Chemically preserved hay crops may produce toxic gas vapors. Deadly gases add to the fire risk.

Why Does Moist Baled and Stacked Hay Spontaneously Catch Fire?

29 related questions found

What happens if hay gets wet?

If rained-on hay is not again dried fully, mold and mycotoxin growth can occur which can put livestock health at risk. Furthermore, baled wet hay can combust due to the temperature increase caused by microbial growth - putting a producer at risk of barn fire.

Why do haystacks spontaneously combust?

Spontaneous combustion inside haystacks is when moisture builds up inside a bale. That moisture starts to heat up and the oxygen inside the hay combines with it and causes a slow burn that eventually destroys the entire stack.

Why does wet hay explode?

Moisture. If the hay is baled before it is totally dry, it can blow up. ... storing hay with an excessive moisture content are most likely to occur during the first month of storage.

Will green hay mold?

Green. Without question, the most desirable color of hay is bright green. Greenness indicates the hay was not subjected to any adverse conditions during curing or storage, thereby suggesting the forage is nutritious and free of molds.

How do haystacks catch fire?

High-moisture haystacks and bales can catch on fire because they have chemical reactions that build heat. ... When hay's internal temperature rises above 130 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius), a chemical reaction begins to produce flammable gas that can ignite if the temperature goes high enough.

Does salting hay work?

[answer]The basic answer is yes, salt (sodium chloride) can be effective in inhibiting growth of mold organisms in hay. In earlier days, the practice was not uncommon for small rectangular bales.

How long does it take for hay to catch fire?

Hay fires usually occur within six weeks of baling. Heating occurs in all hay above 15 percent moisture, and it generally peaks at 125 to 130 F in three to seven days with minimal risk of combustion or forage quality losses.

What causes brown hay?

Some heat production is normal in nearly all hay and silage, but when forage temperatures exceed around 125°F, chemical reactions called Maillard reactions can occur. ... These compounds often smell sweet like caramel, produce various flavors, and can turn the forage to a tobacco-brown color.

What is the white dust on hay?

Spores are the reproductive, seed-like structure. A principal concern for cattle is the total amount of mycelium and spores combined or the total "fungal biomass." In hay, the white mold in the bale is the mycelium and dustiness is from the tiny spores.

Can you bail wet hay?

We can bale it but we need to also be cautious of the moisture content of the hay when baled and how we store it. Moisture content of round bales more than 18 percent and 20 percent for small square bales can cause excessive heating and possible fires. Keeping this in mind, we could wrap or chop that hay.

How can the spontaneous combustion of hay be prevented?

Dry ice, liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide gas pumped into the hay will prevent combustion by eliminating the oxygen from the hay mass. Spontaneous combustion is not an accident.

What happens when you put wet hay in a barn?

Actually, wet hay is more likely to lead to spontaneous combustion than dry hay. If wet hay with more than 22% moisture is stored in a barn or stacked then the risk of spontaneous combustion is increased. Further, the wet hay loses in forage quality. ... Most hay fires occur within 6-weeks of baling.

Is loose straw flammable?

Loose straw is indeed flammable, but the bales are so tightly packed that they actually increase fire resistance. In a tightly packed bale, there's no oxygen, which reduces the chance for combustion.

Can dry grass catch fire?

The moisture level of the grass clippings has to be high enough but not too high. A pile of grass clippings that are too dry won't succumb to spontaneous combustion and catch fire either. ... If a fire starts in a compost bin or pile of completely dry grass clippings, it will be nothing to do with any hot weather.

What temp does combustion occur?

The average temperature at which it will ignite and burn is between 424 and 475 degrees Fahrenheit (218 and 246 degrees celsius). Let's take a closer look at the proposed burning temperature of paper and see what they look like in the real world.

What is moldy hay?

Most moldy hay problems are from mold spores, which can produce respiratory disease in horses. Many of the common mold toxins develop in the field during a delayed harvest. If you suspect a mold toxin problem, review your horse's nutrition and health.

How long can hay be stored for?

Storing Hay

You can store hay indefinitely if the stack is managed correctly; although, in humid climates, using hay within three years of harvest is ideal. Hay growers need to bale it at correct moisture levels because if it's baled too damp the hay will generate heat, which leads to molding.

Is hay just long grass?

Hay is a grass that has been cut, dried, and stored for animal feed. ... Hay is made from the stems, leaves, and seed heads of plants that are fresh. It is cut and baled when it has the most nutritional value, and is fed to livestock.

How can you tell good hay?

Good quality hay should be bright green in color with little fading. A bleached, yellow, brown or black color may indicate aged hay, mold or poor storage conditions. Storage condition and age have a significant effect on vitamin content of hays.