Any fires or losses suffered by the rural community greatly affect farmers and their livelihood. They also affect the wider community, rural support agencies and the emergency services. We have worked in collaboration with Leicestershire Police – Rural Policing Team, National Farmers Union and the Farming Community Network to produce a Farm Safety booklet as a guide to help protect farms from fire and crime.

We are all committed to preventing losses through fire, arson and crime and can offer a free Farm Safety Check, carried out by the fire service and the police on your farm to help advise on how to prevent losses and stay safe.

Please contact us on 0116 210 210 5555 or email info@leics-fire.gov.uk to book a Farm Safety Check. 

Considerations for stacking bales

• Stack away from ignition sources and potential fire hazards
• If possible, leave a space for tractors or forklifts to manoeuvre between stacks
• Where possible, avoid stacking bales close to the perimeter of your site
• Avoid stacking under or within 10m of power lines
• Stack away from other farm buildings

How to prevent crop fires during harvest

• Service all machinery and regularly clean equipment
• Install a regularly-maintained fire extinguisher on all machinery, including combines
• Identify water sources so you know where to turn in case of a fire / complete a farm fire plan
• During harvest, be prepared to cut fire breaks by keeping appropriate cultivators hitched to nearby tractors
• Consider deployment of water containers at a shared location with neighbouring farmers
• Install What3Words on your smart device and complete the training
• Remember that fire can be unpredictable and can change direction quickly when you are cutting breaks.

In case of fire: Call 999 immediately

What to do in the event of an agricultural / crop fire

• Get to a safe place away from the fire
• Call 999 with the following details:
  • full address including postcode, if possible ‘What3words’ location
  • exactly what is involved or likely to become involved in the fire (e.g chemicals, hay) or is stored in the affected area
  • best access to the site for emergency vehicles and if there will be problems accessing water supplies
  • If possible, have someone at the entrance of the farm to meet the oncoming fire engines
  • if safe to do so, move any livestock in the area to a safe place and be prepared to use farm machinery to assist the fire and rescue service to move straw/hay etc.
  • ensure there is a clear access to the site of the fire.
• Stay away from the fire