Spontaneous Hayfire Prompted Fire Chief Warning
Ron Salter, Chippewa Fire Protection District chief, warns farmers after a near miss involving overheated haymow at a Bloomer area farm. Fire crews removed hot hay as bales reached 145 degrees, suggesting soggy hay and humidity raise spontaneous combustion risk. Wisconsin studies show about 60 barn fires yearly from this cause.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ron Salter
Chippewa Fire Protection District
Rt. 3
Bloomer
Salter
Uw-Extension
Wisconsin
Flames raze turkey shed near Ridgeland
Three fires hit area farms over two weeks. A Jerome Foods hatchery east of Ridgeland burned, destroying 3,200 laying hens and a 15,000 square foot barn. Bon Market’s Eau Claire dairy barn fire damaged 28 cattle and hay structures. Officials warn hay moisture and spontaneous combustion risk. testers offer guidance and safety thresholds.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ridgeland
Jerome Foods
Barron
John Wendt
Jerome
Wendt
Bon Market
Rt. 6
Eau Claire
Fire chief pursues hay and grain probe patent
Wisconsin fire chief Mr. Prince designs a novel aluminum tipped hay and grain thermometer probe. He consulted patent records and plans rapid production with parts and spares, hoping farmers will own the cheap device to detect overheated hay, corn cribs, and silos.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Prince
Prince
Wolmer Stoffel
Washington, D.C
U.S
Patent Office
Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association
Wisconsin
Hay Mow Critical Temperatures and Fire Hazards
The note lists hay mow temperature stages from 100 degrees to 400 degrees. 100 degrees marks first stage with carbohydrate oxidation. 150 degrees signals warning and frequent readings. 190 degrees indicates danger and potential ignition. 230 to 300 degrees is explosion risk requiring wetting before removal. 300 to 400 degrees suggests combustion with possible glow if air is present.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Hiie
Chippewa Falls
Mr. Salter
Turkey
Gleaner
A.C
Allis Gleaner
Handen
Bents Motors, Inc
Comstock
Cumberland
Turtle Lake
Deutz - Gehl - Owatonna
Almena
Pontiac
IHC
Allied
Allied Combination
Gehl & Ihc
Richartz
Richartz Implement Co
Menomonie
Brave Harvestore Systems, Inc
Menomonie, WI
John Larson
E. Oak St
Glenwood City
St. Croix County
Sage
IMP. CO. Inc
Lomka
Farrow
Intezuma
Clip & Mail
AREA
Alamo
Steiner Sales & Service, Inc
Surge Dairy Equipment
Baldwin
Rice Lake
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