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OMAFRA: Preventing and putting out silo fires

OMAFRA forage specialist Christine O’Reilly shares some best management tips to prevent silo fires, and how to handle one if it does happen.

The process of forage heating up and then burning is typically called spontaneous combustion. In silos, forage can dry down if air enters the silo through leaks in walls or doors; this results in the potential for fires throughout the whole year.

The key take-aways?

• Most silo fires occur because the silage is too dry;
• Silo fires frequently smoulder undetected for a while; the forage bursts into flames when it comes in contact with the air;
• Call the fire department immediately if you suspect a silo fire. |READ MORE