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  Discussion on Manure pile on fire
Author Message
Member:
zarr

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 - 12:40 pm:

OK so the manure pile is on fire deep within like a peat fire.It is 25 outside Now what ??
Member:
lilo

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 - 3:38 pm:

Wow, Cindy. I guess if it were my manure pile, I would make sure the fire could not spread to anything flammable (weeds, dry grasses) and let it burn. Maybe you could wet the surrounding area (sounds like fun at 25 degrees) to make sure the fire can't spread?

You must have had some good composting going on in there!

Lilo
Member:
scooter

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 - 3:44 pm:

I think that is normal, the manure pile down at the boarding barn was always smoldering. It would have charred stuff in the middle. If you have the means I would "turn" the manure over and let the rest of it compost. Hopefully it isn't close to anything that can catch fire. OR if it really worries you take a hose to it.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 - 4:48 pm:

Can you see flames? How "on fire" is it?

If you have a big manure pile they do get very hot in the middle. In Truckee ours always steamed in cold weather and was warm to the touch. It was quite aways from any building and we never had a problem with it. We did take the tractor and turn it every once in a while, as Diane suggests. In dry weather we also wet it down good as the moisture helped it compost as opposed to burn up.
Member:
zarr

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 - 5:01 pm:

My farrier was just here and laughed said get Marshmellows!!! Not eating smores with him!! ;)

My husband keeps trying to sing Smoke from a Distant Fire Its going to be a long winter! Think I'll stick the hose on it if it warms up. Glad to know this is not that unusual. The chickens run out of their coop first thing and stand on the top warming feet I guess?

Lilo that was my worry so I moved tumbleweeds away!
Member:
scooter

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 - 5:13 pm:

My horses used to sleep on top of the composting manure LOL, so it mustn't get too hot. I have heard of fires started that way though. If you have a tractor with a loader turning it is very beneficial to get even composting and keeping the heat down a bit.

I wouldn't eat with your farrier either! YUK
Member:
kpaint

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 - 5:21 pm:

My soiled straw/manure pile heats up of course during composting. The pile is on concrete and is removed every two-three weeks and mixed/turned about once a week as new deposits are pushed up and over keeping the pile tidy and avoiding 'sprawl'. The pile will steam which looks a lot like smoke. No flames. Disgustingly the dog and the barn cats use it as a heat source this winter for some reason. It is hilarious to see them on it in various places like mountain goats on ledges. However, this probably isn't healthy for anyone. I have been asking the husband if we can't bring one of the roll off dumpsters over and fix it so the pile is not accessible; however, I suppose the silly cats could still get to it as the dumpsters are open top. ? I put cedar shavings in the dog's bedding...she stinks. lol

Cindy, I would turn the pile with a skidloader or tractor bucket. :-) Could we turn this into a Jeff Foxworthy comedy line...You know you are a redneck if you roast marshmellows over the compost pile?
Member:
mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 - 5:35 pm:

Our animals loved the manure pile, as did the local coyotes! It felt a lot like a heating pad; not too hot on top. Nice when the snow was blowing.
Member:
zarr

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 - 6:08 pm:

Did find that you can use pcv pipes stuck down thru the pile(pre-fire) to use as chimmneys.Yes if you move a portion there is glowing embers in there! Last time fast moving wildfire swept thru here the MP did catch on fire and the tanker truck came to the rescue!No tractor here just to old folks and a bunch of critters.

Love the idea you might be a redneck ... :-)
Member:
scooter

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 - 6:15 pm:

The foxes bury their half eaten rabbits in it I find rabbit parts buried all over in there, what do you suppose is the purpose of that?? They want cooked rabbit? Strange.

The fox also poop on it LOL. I know down at the boarding barn the manure pile was home to RATS eck.
Member:
rtrotter

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 - 7:28 pm:

Do you know what your nice warm manure pile is good for?

Your frozen hoses, which stay nicely unfrozen due to the heat. Ta dah! or burumpump.
Rachelle
Member:
zarr

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 - 8:34 pm:

rtrotter, you've ruined my self image.I thought I had taught my horses to line their butts up next to the manure pile so its easy to pick up and toss! Now your telling me its so they can keep their butts warm! Hump! I thought I was so clever .... :-)
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 - 7:23 am:

It probably won't catch fire, but just in case I'd really watch it. Late last winter hubby decided to burn a huge brush/garbage pile. He watched it for 2 days and it appeared to be out. He got sick, and neither one of us thought about it until 5 days later he came running in the house to yell "The woods is on fire! Get out here and help me!"

Calling 911, praying the neighbors house don't catch fire, and paying the lovely DNR bill is NOT something you want to experience!

And, there was snow on the ground on day one but it melted the 2nd day and winds picked up.

I will say that the DNR & fire dept did a wonderful job. Someone from the DNR walked the woods daily for a week after. We were very lucky that mostly leaves and small brush on the ground burned...it could have been much worse!


I hope you manure just keeps composting nicely...sounds like a great addition to the garden, lol! But I'll pass on the marshmallows too.
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 - 9:07 am:

That is interesting about the foxes.

Do you suppose they bury the rabbit parts in there to save the remains for eating later?

Perhaps the manure odor keeps other predators from detecting the buried bunny meat?
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