It's that time of year when our feathered friends, especially starlings, transform tractors into snug nesting spots.

But with nest-building materials like hay and straw being highly flammable, it’s no surprise that this season often brings about tractor fires.

Mid and South Canterbury Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) senior risk reduction advisor Don Geddes encourages farmers to pop the tractor bonnet at lunchtime to prevent bird nesting and to check for birds' nests before starting the tractor.

"Birds can't build a nest over lunchtime, but they can carry enough straw and nesting material to cause a fire.

"Popping the bonnet at lunchtime or in the evenings before you park up in the shed discourages birds from nesting there."

Birds' nests are not the only hazard.

Harvesters also carry fire risks, so ensuring machinery is clean and well-maintained reduces the chance of fire.

"Make sure your servicing is up to date, your filters are clean, and you haven't got dust and straw around your manifold and exhausts."

Being prepared in the event of a fire is key, and Geddes recommends all vehicles carry fire extinguishers.

"We recommend a dry powder type extinguisher.

"If you have that readily available, and you are in your header, and you have a fire start up around the motor, you can do something about it."

While having a water source on hand during stubble fires and burn-offs is a requirement, many farmers don't think of having water on-site during harvest.

"Farmers do not think to park the water cart in the paddock during harvest, and then they have to rush back to the yard to get it, and by then, the fire has got away."

Geddes said having a fire plan on-farm is essential.

"You need to think about where a potential fire is going to come from and have a mitigation plan.

"You need to think about how to prevent a fire from occurring, but if it did occur, how you can deal with it promptly and efficiently."

In case of a fire, Geddes emphasized the importance of not hesitating to dial 111 for help.

"Don't be hesitant about calling 111, hoping you can get the fire out yourself.

"We don't mind being turned around and sent home.

"We would rather that than arrive late when they've lost the fire, it's racing across the paddock, and we are there for several hours."

Geddes said it was important to remember that any planned outdoor fires over the summer will likely require a permit, with information and applications available online.

"The one-stop shop for all information around fires is Check It's Alright.

"You can apply for a permit there, and there is a lot of information around safe outdoor burning."

Old pit fires and burn piles are a major cause of fires escaping during hot and windy months, sometimes reigniting five months later.

"Often, we get a hot day in the middle of summer with some Nor'west wind, and suddenly, we are getting a flare-up of hot ashes that might have been left in that burn pile.

Geddes said it's important to rake out a burn pile after a fire to ensure it's dead and cold before leaving.

"We have had a reignition of fire five months later."

Geddes said farmers should consider defensible spaces around homes and sheds so that if a fire did take off, it would be less likely to consume buildings.

"It's about removing flammable material, so if a fire does start,  it's not going to burn across multiple paddocks and into your yard and take your house or your sheds loaded up with implements and farm machinery."

In the event of a fire, dial 111.

For information related to permits and fire safety on your farm, go to www.checkitsalright.nz

By Claire Inkson