Fires in or around wind farms are not a common occurrence, with the industry maintaining a strong focus on safety and preventive measures. While wind farms themselves are not known for causing fires, incidents may arise due to factors such as electrical malfunctions, mechanical failures, lightning strikes, or human activities. Modern wind turbines are equipped with advanced safety features to mitigate these risks, and routine inspections and maintenance protocols are implemented to ensure the integrity of the equipment. The wind industry adheres to stringent guidelines and works closely with local authorities to address safety concerns, emphasising the importance of minimising potential fire risks for local farms and their surrounding communities.
As all high-voltage connections for wind turbines are run underground, the risk of electricity-related fire is extremely low. The fire control methods for wind farms are the same as those used for all other high-voltage electrical assets. Each wind turbine is also fitted with a comprehensive lightning protection system that safely transfers any high voltages or currents directly to the earth without affecting turbine performance.
There is no recorded instance of lightning strikes to wind turbines or monitoring masts causing a bushfire in Australia.
