Wildfire Preparedness: Keeping Your Agriculture Production Safe from Wildfire

JULY 10, 2023

There are considerable risks to agriculture producers from wildfires, such as smoke exposure, fire?danger, loss of electrical power and supply chain interruption that may occur even if the fire is?many miles away Taking action well ahead of the fire season is essential to reduce combustible?materials, harden property to advancing flames and airborne embers, and prepare for potential?interruptions or emergency evacuations.

Wildfires continue to increase

In recent years, forest fires in Canada and the U.S. have devastated longstanding forests, created?downwind air quality issues across thousands of miles impacting millions of people and animals, and?threatened or resulted in catastrophic loss of homes in nearby towns and cities. Western Canada and?California have been particularly hard hit.

According to Canadian and U.S. government agencies, climate change is expected to increase the?frequency of large fires and the resulting losses and costs(1). It is clear that preparation measures?need to be in place and followed before a wildfire event to protect agriculture producers from wildfire hazards and potentially significant loss if they are in an?affected area.

The issues to assess and address

1. Regularly inspect and maintain clear space around buildings and structures

a. Keep at least a 5-foot combustible-free space around all structures.

b. Remove all dry mulch material and vegetation within 5 feet of all structures.

c. Remove all branches that overhang roofs/gutters or are within 10 feet of any structure.

d. Remove all combustible material from the base of fencing.

e. High piled combustible material storage should be less than 10 feet in height, and at least 50?feet away from any building or structure.

2. Firefighting capability

a. Prepare and implement a Fire Safety Plan that summarizes how an operation will prevent a fire?and the response in case a fire does occur.

b. Ensure the wildfire evacuation/shelter-in-place plan is well communicated and practiced with?employees, and that an animal evacuation plan is in place for livestock.

c. Ensure that everyone at the farm knows their designated relocation area in the event of an?evacuation order.

d. Create a water supply source list, and monitor water source levels at least monthly during fire?season.

e. Ensure that fire extinguishers/pumps/risers/hydrants/hoses/equipment are inspected and?maintained ready for use at all times.

f. Ensure that emergency generators are test operated periodically, with increased frequency if?storms, wildfires, or loss of power events are more frequent in your area or in the current season.

g. Coordinate a fire response walkthrough with local fire department personnel to evaluate water?supply sources, firefighting equipment and fire response plan. While onsite is preferred, even a?remote tabletop discussion using site maps and photos will make a response better coordinated and?more effective.

3. Housekeeping

a. Store combustibles in a designated location away from livestock. Combustibles such as straw or?oil provide fuel to feed a fire.

b. Regularly sweep up or store hay, straw and other loose combustibles from the ground, in stalls?and corrals and on barn floors.

c. Clear combustible debris such as leaves and pine needles from gutters and roof depressions.

d. Remove items or debris under a raised deck, balcony or attached combustible walkway.

e. Water and maintain all vegetation within 30 feet of a building or structure to ensure it is not?an undesired fuel source for an approaching fire or a local ignition source such as an internal?combustion engine or portable equipment and tools.

f. All roof, attic, crawl space and other vents should be covered with a screen having a 1/8 inch?or finer grid. The screen should be kept clear and free of debris to prevent windborne embers from?a fire entering the space or igniting a combustible.

This article is not an exhaustive list of all possible hazards, and it is recommended that you meet?with your safety and risk consultant to review your wildfire hazard risk reduction program. It is?also a good time to meet with your insurance agent, ME!!!!, to ensure you have adequate coverages for your?

business.

(1) Canadian Forest Service (Publication 26394) and U.S. Department of Agriculture

(Publication 63432)

DISCLAIMER

All consulting services performed by HUB are advisory in nature. All resultant reports are based?upon conditions and practices observed by HUB and information supplied by the client. Any such?reports may not identify or contemplate all unsafe conditions and practices; others may exist. HUB?does not imply, guarantee or warrant the safety of any of the client's properties or operations or?that the client or any such properties or operations are in compliance with all federal, state,?provincial or local laws, codes, statutes, ordinances, standards or recommendations. All decisions?in connection with the implementation, if any, of any of HUB's advice or recommendations shall be?the sole responsibility of, and made by, the client.

? 2023 HUB International Limited. 150 N Riverside Plaza, 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606. All rights?

reserved.?PrivacY. PolicY..?Terms & Conditions?SitemaQ