Farm Preparation for Wildfire and Other Emergencies

According to many state fire officials, we no longer have simply a ‘Fire Season' but a ‘Fire Year'. In winter drought conditions, some parts of our region do not receive enough rain to mitigate fire danger.  It is more important than ever to constantly assess your farm for fire safety and be prepared for any emergency.

The following information will assist you in thinking through four important areas of disaster preparedness for your farm: Paperwork & Plans, Farm Map & Layout, Tools & Machinery, and Operations & Training.

Paperwork & Plans:

1. Conduct a fire risk assessment and record your findings. Assess brush clearance, road access, evacuation routes, defensible space, topography (fire climbs hills quickly), and water sources. If needed, make a plan to address any critical issues.
2. Evaluate current insurance coverage to ensure adequate coverage for farm assets. Consider livestock, crops, buildings, and equipment.
3. Keep up-to-date production, marketing, and financial records. Check the Foothill Farming website resources on risk management and business planning tools for templates. Scan or store them on a USB flash drive or external hard drive.

• http://ucanr.edu/sites/placernevadasmallfarms/Farm_Business_Planning/FBP_Risk_Management/

4. Make a farm communication plan. What happens if you are not home during a disaster situation? Do you have phone numbers and good relationships with neighbors? Are the phone numbers written down for your family members and employees as well?
5. Create a farm emergency plan, use the following free online templates or use them as a guide to create one more suitable for your own farm.

• http://ucanr.edu/sites/placernevadasmallfarms/files/289237.pdf
• https://www.formsbank.com/template/325465/emergency-plan-for-farm-template.html?page=5
• http://www.maeap.org/uploads/files/EMERGENCY_PLANNING_fillable_Form_E2575-ET_AA.pdf 
• http://www.ncagr.gov/disaster/Farm-Emergency-Plan-Template.pdf

Developing a farm emergency plan before a disaster can help you respond more rapidly and objectively.

Farm Map & Layout:

1. A farm map should be part of your emergency plan. Create a map including symbols and a key for the following:
   1. Homes, barns, and outbuildings.
   2. Utility shutoffs.
   3. Power and utility lines.
   4. Fuel and chemical storage.
   5. Roads and bridges (including weight limitations).
   6. Water sources and delivery systems.
   7. Gates (including combinations).
   8. Fuel breaks.
   9. Any other possible farm hazards.

You may include brief general guidance for emergency responders on the map as well.

Example Farm Map

2. A well-maintained and accessible water source is critical. If possible, consider a water source for fire trucks. An accessible source includes:
   1. Defensible space.
   2. Gravel road access within 12 feet of water source.
   3. Minimum 45-foot radius turnaround close by.
   4. Post permanent signs indicating water source location.

• For more detailed information about what is needed at a water source, check out this information from Oregon State Extension https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/supplemental/pnw618/pnw618-chapter6.pdf

3. Farm design should incorporate these principles, especially around structures. Create at least 100 feet of defensible space by:
   1. Removing flammable objects from around barns or dwellings (e.g. flammable vegetation, feed bags, cardboard boxes, plant debris, fuel, etc.).
   2. Breaking up fuel continuity by separating plants from each other in gardens and landscape design.
   3. Taking care in selecting, locating, and maintaining trees.
   4. Post a clearly visible sign with property name and number at the entrance.

Tools & Machinery:

1. Carry fire extinguishers and fire tools, especially in off-road vehicles. (e.g. trucks and tractors), CalFire requires a 5-gallon water supply and a fire tool be carried in wildland settings – consider adding this equipment to your tool box!
2. Conduct frequent inspections of farm machinery for debris removal. Pay attention to hazards associated with exhaust systems and catalytic converters.
3. All farms should have proper personal firefighting equipment such as shovels, hoes, and fire extinguishers that all farm employees can carry.
4. Use rodent deterrents as they can chew through electrical insulation.
5. Limit or postpone machinery use on high fire danger days. If use is unavoidable, plan for competing tasks before 10:00 AM.
6. Stay 30 minutes after machinery use is shut off to monitor fire risk.

• More tips on preventing farm equipment fires,  http://www.redrivermutual.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/Preventing-Farm-Equipment-Fires4.pdf

Operations & Training:

1. Conduct an annual fire plan and equipment “refresher” for all farm personnel. Consider labeling safety equipment and fire tools on your map, with signs for your employees and family. Train folks on how to use this equipment.
2. Have a routine for “red flag days” such as delaying mowing or machinery use.
3. Although California law requires all electric fences to have low-impedance chargers, check frequently to ensure wires are free of materials that may cause the fence to arc. Always operate according to manufacturer directions.
4. Restrict or clearly designate smoking areas.
5. Include fire danger mitigation and forest management in annual planning.

Fire prevention should be a year-round activity in our fire-prone region. Be sure to consider the needs of both family and farm personnel in any emergency situation. Proper planning now will help mitigate the inevitable stress involved in farm emergencies. We would love to hear your thoughts, plans, and ideas related to disaster preparedness. Please feel free to comment below.

Read more