Farm fires cost Scotland £2.8million in 2019, at the same time as the UK hit a five-year high in rural blazes, at a total cost just short of £50million.

Highlighting that smouldering statistic, rural insurer NFU Mutual has urged farmers to check their fire precautions and put emergency plans in place in case their farm is next to catch alight.

Electrical faults accounted for over half the UK farm fire total last year, followed by wilful fire raising which rose by 40%. However, Scotland's £2.8m total fire loss was actually well down from £7.6m the previous year, a fall of 63%.

But the Mutual does not want to see any complacency about the ongoing threat, and stated that 2020 was on track to see an even higher number of incidents and costs, in a year that saw farmers battle unforgiving weather which led to a poor harvest.

“Farm fires put the lives of people and livestock at risk as well as having a huge emotional and business impact on farmers and their families” said the firm's risk management director Andy Manson. “The scale of the damage we are seeing shows it’s more important than ever to reduce the risk of a fire.

"Farmers not only have to be mindful of the usual farm hazards such as electrical equipment, combustible material and fuel but also protect themselves from wilful fire raising. Many farmers are feeling particularly vulnerable this year and with straw in short supply after the poor harvest, more and more are using remote camera systems linked to mobile phones as well as fencing off straw stacks and farm buildings.”

Fires caused by electrical faults totalled £25million across the UK last year. Operating in harsh environments, farm electrical systems often get wet, hot or dusty leading to short circuits and cable failures, and farmers are advised to have regular electrical inspections, not to overload power supplies and have enough plug sockets to avoid using multi gangs and other adapters.

Farm fire checklist –prevention:

• Get electrical systems and equipment regularly inspected by a competent electrician;

• Don’t overload electrical systems – and avoid using multi gang connectors;

• Ensure there are sufficient fire extinguishers for the size of buildings and that they are inspected regularly to ensure they are in the right location and condition;

• Ensure staff and adult family members know the location of fire extinguishers and how to use them;

• Reduce the risk of wilful fire raising by fencing off straw stacks and farm buildings;

• Use CCTV cameras on straw stacks and farm buildings, along with warning signs to deter wilful fire raising;

• Store hay and straw away from equipment that could give off heat (e.g. hot vehicle engines, overhead lights) and at least 10m from other buildings;

• Put in place an evacuation plan for staff and livestock;

• Store petrol, diesel and other fuels in secure areas;

• Pre-plan hot works such as welding in clear areas;

• Ensure you have safe, designated smoking areas;

• Ensure you can direct emergency services to the exact location of fires e.g. download the what3words app which pinpoints specific 3m x 3m locations;

• Ask your local Fire and Rescue service to visit to check water supplies and access routes.

If a fire breaks out:

• Make sure everyone evacuates the immediate area and remains in a safe location;

• Call the Fire and Rescue Service without delay;

• If possible, send someone to the farm entrance to direct the Fire and Rescue Service to the fire;

• Prepare to evacuate livestock but only if safe to do so should the fire spread.