The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) is responding to a hay shed fire to the west of Lameroo in the Murraylands of South Australia. This fire is producing a significant amount of smoke across the area and is visible from the Lameroo township.
15 CFS volunteers on 2 trucks, a Bulk Water Carrier (BWC) and command vehicle were called to a rural property at 7:30 am this morning where they found a large shed containing 1,200 bales of hay on fire.
Firefighters have contained the fire to the shed by conducting a controlled grass fire to border the impacted area and reduce the risk of spread.
Local crews supported by the landholder will continue to monitor the fire, which is expected to burn and produce smoke for several days.
The cause of the fire is believed to be spontaneous combustion.
Haystack fires are commonly caused by bacterial reactions within bales with high moisture contents. To reduce the risk of haystack fires, it is important to actively monitor the temperature of stored hay and check for signs of bacterial reactions like condensation on the shed roof or what appears to be steam rising from bales.
If you notice any of these signs, immediately remove hot bales from larger piles and call Triple Zero (000).
For more information on haystack fires visit the CFS website.
