Hot, dry weather has increased the risk of hay fires on Midwest farms this season.
Megan Schossow with the Upper Midwest Ag Safety and Health Center tells Brownfield there has been a recent uptick in hay fires and many are in barns where the bales are tightly stacked.
“The moisture inside of those bales and different fermentation processes kind of speed up heat production and that can eventually result in a fire or an explosion of sort.”
She says quality hay is in short supply in some areas, so preparedness and prevention efforts are critical.
Drought and heat increase risk for hay fires this season
