muck heap fire

[Karran]

For one reason and another the yard pile has grown all summer, although its now being slowly cleared.

Anyway I'm here alone (on an isolated yard) mucking out and I noticed a small flame on it. I chucked a bucket of water on it, dug out and around the smoky patch and chucked more water over it, hoping that having air would free it up a little from where its tightly packed and chucking water over the bits I freed would cool them down.
There's still a little bit of smoke but I'm not sure if that's:
A) from the water I threw
B) from something else under there.

I'm not sure whether smashing open the heap and rebuilding it'd be best or what. I can't get hold of anyone else from the yard and I waved goodbye to the yo as I came down the drive.

Help?!

 

[Karran]

This probably sounds troll-y but its a genuine concern!

 

[Merrymoles]

I'd be calling the fire brigade who will then smash it open but if you are tempted to fiddle, be very careful, particularly if it's close to buildings, as it can flare up very quickly. They can smoulder for weeks once they have caught fire so you do need to be sure you've got to the root of the fire.

 

[Christsam]

I'd be calling the fire brigade who will then smash it open but if you are tempted to fiddle, be very careful, particularly if it's close to buildings, as it can flare up very quickly. They can smoulder for weeks once they have caught fire so you do need to be sure you've got to the root of the fire.

^^^^^ best to call Fire Brigade if you are concerned.

 

[Karran]

Do you really think that's best? I was worried it was an over reaction!

 

[WelshD]

I'd have a dig around in it and spread out and water down any hot spots

If you are seriously worried and have to leave the yard soon and if the muck heap is close to stables or hay barn I would prob call the fire brigade

 

[Christsam]

Woudl you rather leave it, go home and then find out its a lot worse later?

 

[WelshD]

If you are hanging around for a while I would hold off and see if anyone else turns up and see what they say

 

[Karran]

I don't have to go anywhere. Riding can wait. I just didn't expect people to suggest the fire brigade! I thought that was me being dramatic!
Gonna open it up a little and get a hose on it. Will wait and see and then try and call others again so they're aware

Thanks.

 

[Merrymoles]

Fire brigade suggestion was because I have a friend who has (someone else's) muckheap close to his land and that seems to catch fire with great regularity. The last time was during one of those torrential downpours we have had this summer and that still didn't put it out so the fire brigade came and sorted it. He's got photos which show the rain lashing down (bouncing in the puddles), everyone soaking wet and the flames still going! It's a very rural area so the fire brigade deal with lots of them.
Anyway, be careful!

 

[Karran]

Thanks everyone

I dug around and kept hose running for an hour. It doesn't feel as hot anymore just normal - if you know what I mean. Previous I couldn't touch it and it was hard to stand still as I could feel it though my boots.
Yo has just got back and promised to watch it for rest of day and I've let the lady know who's bringing in tonight.

Just so surprised that it was burning when it was so cold and wet! Even though I know they're always best place to warm your feet in winter!

 

[Ladyinred]

Thanks everyone

I dug around and kept hose running for an hour. It doesn't feel as hot anymore just normal - if you know what I mean. Previous I couldn't touch it and it was hard to stand still as I could feel it though my boots.
Yo has just got back and promised to watch it for rest of day and I've let the lady know who's bringing in tonight.

Just so surprised that it was burning when it was so cold and wet! Even though I know they're always best place to warm your feet in winter!

Do NOT stand on it if there is any risk of it being on fire. You can easily fall through where lower layers have burned out. SiL did this and ended up in burns unit.. horrible injury!

 

[frozzy]

Years ago the lady that owned our riding school set hers on fire deliberately and it smouldered for weeks. It was her way of keeping the muckhill down. It was far away from the stables, no flames just smouldered quietly away. Nowadays it would be frowned upon. !

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Do NOT stand on it if there is any risk of it being on fire. You can easily fall through where lower layers have burned out. SiL did this and ended up in burns unit.. horrible injury!

Thanks for the warning, that would never have occurred to me. That's something else I've learned from HHO.

 

[Karran]

Eeeek! I never thought of that!

 

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

How far away is it from buildings and your storage? Also what type of bedding do yo use? If your'e close to the stables then I think the fire brigade should be called as a precaution, but if you're a good way away then probably no need to panic, but do try and put it out.

Many years ago in the 1980's (we don't do it now, I think it's probably illegal now) we had ours constantly smouldering all the time. The bedding we used was shavings (very modern for the day) and because it was always smouldering it remained very small and never caused any concern. It never flamed, it just always smouldered. I think it must have been about 150-200 metres from the yard. Lots of yards kept their muck heaps down this way back then.

 

[Karran]

This is mostly straw and a few other bits. I consider it to be a lot closer than I'd be comfortable with.

It is being collected up and taken away but the guy who does it couldn't for whatever reason all summer until a month or so ago but can only do odd bits on weekends so its a slow process. All 6 were kept out 24/7 over summer so its not too bad or big.

I put it out and then pretty much flooded it and rebuilt it and flooded it again so hopefully won't be too much of a problem. YO will now monitor it carefully for us.

 

[PandorasJar]

I'd get fire brigade. Worth doing ahead of bonfire night... otherwise you may have a serious problem, and take the care away from others who don't have warning. Especially if anywhere near buildings/barns.

I've never thought of it on a muckheap before, my worry has always been hay barns and the spontanious combustion from the hay! First google on the hay combustion brings up a photo of fire brigade on top of a muck heap though...

 

[mhorses]

I love the smell of a burning muck heap.