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June 11, 2025 - Wildfire on the Farm: Be Ready Before It Starts

Taking precautions, mitigating risks, planning, and support options.

With the ongoing dry conditions and little moisture forecasted, the risk of wildfires climbs exponentially. As producers, our job is keeping our livestock safe and protecting the assets we have invested in our lands. As such, being prepared for wildfires on the farm and doing our due diligence to have mitigation measures in place, as well as emergency plans, is all we can do to prevent the unthinkable. 

When people think of the word wildfire, the usual first thought that comes to mind is those out in the forest, burning habitats down. While this is partly true, wildfires can be caused by a number of factors – a big one being lightning, but with the dry conditions even fires started by agriculture equipment can spark into a wildfire. 

Some steps to take to mitigate the risk of equipment related fires are small tasks that can have big impacts. Getting into the habit of doing a quick walk around the equipment, checking for fire hazards is a great start. Things to look for include debris and buildup on the engines that could become too hot, ensuring the exhaust system is in working order, and checking your belts and chains. When operating equipment, it is critical to pay attention to the surroundings, sparks created by hitting a rock can ignite surrounding dry material and start smoldering.

While equipment maintenance is huge for fire prevention, so are other factors around the farm. Checking for these hazards before beginning your day of chores can reduce the risk of a wildfire happening. Of course, always adhere to the fire bans when they’re in place when planning to light your burn barrels or brush piles. Burn barrels can very easily ignite wildfires if left unsupervised. Installing a metal screen cover and drilling holes in the sides to help with ventilation can cut down wildfire risk. Of course, ensure you have applied for and been given proper permitting before burning. 

Preparing your property for wildfires can always seem daunting, but working on it not just in the wildfire season can bring ease and peace of mind. Minimize the accumulation of flammable materials in the field, use targeted grazing methods to strategically deploy livestock to graze on dry vegetation around your field, practice safe storage methods of any chemicals and fuel, and lastly be prepared. 

During wildfire season, being prepared for emergency situations is key to having a smooth evacuation and minimizing losses. Have an emergency response plan that includes a map, a muster point, safe transportation methods, an animal identification list, emergency contact list, important documents on hand and ready to go, and have an idea of the help available. 

While wildfires are not always preventable, producers can be prepared and practice mitigation measures to do their part in the protection of their land, their livestock, their neighbours, and their families. On a farm, fire takes more than properties – it takes livelihood. Prepare like everything depends on it – because it does.