Wildfire

If wildfire threatens livestock and the producer can be contacted, work with them to determine the best method to protect the animals.

If the producer has evacuated and cannot be contacted, and the wildfire is an immediate threat to livestock, firefighters may open gates, barn doors or cut down fences to free the animals from immediate harm. Remember to never risk your life to save those of livestock.

The following steps can be used to aid firefighting efforts. Always follow the directions from local officials. Check SPSA’s website for information regarding the fire.

Producers can help aid in firefighting efforts. If the fire is distant and will not pose immediate danger, the producer can:

• Create fireguards around the entire perimeter and inside the yard site, including around livestock corrals, hay or straw stacks, structures, fuel and chemical storages and all other vulnerable areas.

• If possible, mow, target graze, spray grass with herbicide or spray water on grass around the entire yard and inside the site. Use your best judgement. Using equipment around dry grass can also ignite a fire.
• Move equipment to a safe space that is least likely to catch fire including areas like concrete pads. Aim to space out equipment as far as possible to reduce the risk of a fire jumping from one piece of equipment to the next.
• Move livestock into an area with a lower risk of fire.
• Corral animals, such as horses, together to speed up the evacuation process.
• If able, consider hooking up a livestock trailer to your truck and keeping it at the location where animals will be loaded.

If you are able to evacuate with your livestock, use the following tips to help guide your evacuation plan.

• Take enough feed, water, supplements, medications, veterinary supplies and anything else you may need to keep your animals safe and healthy during the evacuation. Take any necessary equipment, such as feed or water buckets.
• Take production and movement records with you. It is best to keep electronic and paper copies of all records.
• Remember that animals can be flighty when they feel threatened. Be sure to take extra precautions when handling, loading and unloading animals.

If you are required to evacuate without your animals, use the following tips along with any other steps you think are important.

• If possible, mark your animals in a manner that identifies ownership. This is important as firefighters may cut fences or open gates in the interest of animal welfare.
• Remove halters and horseshoes to avoid injury from these in the extreme heat of the fire.
• Take all animal production and movement records with you.
• In a last-ditch effort, cut fences and open gates if you are leaving your animals behind and the fire is close by. Contact your local authority (e.g. rural municipality, law enforcement and/or emergency personnel) prior to or immediately following release of livestock to notify them that there are stray animals in the area and you intend to recapture them once the threat of wildfire is removed. For more information on stray animals visit our Animal Control page.