With current wildfires occurring and the N.C. Forest Service issuing a burn ban for the entire state of North Carolina, below is information about farm fire prevention.
To decrease the chance of your operation being susceptible to a wildfire:- Remove vegetation from within at least 30 feet of residences and farm buildings.
- Create noncombustible zones around spaces where equipment, fuel, hay, and chemicals are stored.
- Create and maintain appropriate types and sizes of fireguards around pastures and crops.
- Keep roofs free of combustible debris and materials.
- Remove or isolate highly flammable and combustible materials and accelerants.
- Develop a plan to evacuate livestock, or maintain an area where livestock can be moved, such as a plowed or heavily-grazed field or pasture with water and shade.
- Work with your fire department to make sure an adequate water supply is available and that obstructions are removed for first responders.
- Provide a list of stored hazardous materials to your fire department, and update regularly.
- Post signs and enforce “no smoking” bans in barns and around machinery and combustible and flammable materials.
- DO NOT PANIC.
- Call 911. Tell the dispatcher the type of fire (e.g., barn, shop, field), and give them your address and directions to your farm.
- Tell them the status of the fire - is smoke showing, is the building fully engulfed in flames, etc. Notify them if there are any people injured or trapped.
- Inform them if there are animals involved. Note the types of animals, if the animals are loose or contained, and how many are still in the building.
- If the driveway is difficult to see or find, send someone out to meet the fire department.
- Fire departments have delayed response time due to poor directions.
- Shut off all power sources to the building.
- DO NOT enter the building! If you are the only one present, no one will know you are inside. If the roof is on fire, it may collapse at any time.
