Large mulch piles are they dangerous

So what are the odds that a large mulch pile will start to burn. I have many large piles and a neighbor said they are a fire hazard. Now I know mulch is hot and can burn, but what are the odds of the this happening? I had planned to use most of it as a windblock and the rest spread on my property. I looked on the fire stations website and found no restrictions for mulch. Has anyone hear had a problem with mulch piles igniting, especially during the hot summer and in dry windy areas?

Hello Rose, I have never had a pile start a fire myself. They do get pretty hot when composting. I have heard stories of haystacks starting on fire, but not sure if it is true of all mulch.

yup. it happens all the time in florida. we also have seemingly spontaneous ENTIRE FORESTS catching on fire though, so if you don't have that where you live your mulch might be safer.

i once saw some mulch catch fire in a concrete parking lot. it was a small, low burning fire, but when i put it out i couldn't find the cigarette filter. was it spontaneous? who knows?

generally this is only a problem if it hasn't rained in about a month with steadily warmish temperatures. not too often.