Wildfires and Your Farm
A wildfire can significantly disrupt your farming operation, both during and after an event. By taking steps before a wildfire, this disruption can be limited and recovering from a major incident may be expedited.
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Use this checklist to get started preparing your farm before a wildfire and learn what to do during and after a wildfire situation.Wildfires and Your Farm [PDF] |
Determine the risk of wildfire in your area
Active Weather Alerts and Forecasts
Map showing active weather alerts and forcast maps.
National Weather Service
Map showing active weather alerts and forcast maps.
National Weather Service
Know the Terminology
Fire Weather Watch: issued when the potential for severe fire weather exists in the near future – usually in 12 and 24 hours – but sometimes days in advance.
Red Flag Warning: issued to indicate the imminent danger of severe fire weather with a relatively high probability of occurrence.
Before a Wildfire
- Practice proper rangeland management.
- Store equipment in safe locations.
- Keep up-to-date records.
- Protect hay or forage supplies.
- Alter day-to-day activities.
During a Wildfire
- Listen to the radio or television for situation developments, evacuation instructions and routes, and road closures.
- If time permits, and it can be done safely:
- Move equipment to fire-resistant area.
- Assist with water access.
- Build fire breaks.
After a Wildfire
- Contact your insurance agent.
- Take pictures and document damage to equipment, crops, or structures.
- Be careful moving damaged structures or burned hay.
- Determine eligibility for federal assistance.
- Contact your local extension agent or FSA office.https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/index
For more information, see the "Wildfires and your Farm" factsheet above.
More Wildfire Preparedness Factsheets
Additional Resources
Before a Wildfire
Website with links to wildfire preparedness information.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Website with links to wildfire preparedness information.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
One Less Spark-One Less Wildfire
Website with tips to help prevent wildfires.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Website with tips to help prevent wildfires.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Protecting Farms and Ranches from Wildfires
Website with wildfire preparedness tips.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Website with wildfire preparedness tips.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Reducing Fire Risk on your Forest Property
Guidelines to help reduce a fire's potential damage to your home.
Oregeon State University Extension Service
Guidelines to help reduce a fire's potential damage to your home.
Oregeon State University Extension Service
Wildfire Preparedness: Home and Landscape
Resources for preparing your home before a wildfire.
National Fire Protection Association
Resources for preparing your home before a wildfire.
National Fire Protection Association
Wildfires
Website with resources for preparing before a wildfire, actions during a wildfire, and how to recover after a wildfire.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Website with resources for preparing before a wildfire, actions during a wildfire, and how to recover after a wildfire.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Wildland Fire Resources
Website with a variety of resources on ecology of fires, preparedness of homes and communities, recovery after wildfires.
University of Idaho Extension
Website with a variety of resources on ecology of fires, preparedness of homes and communities, recovery after wildfires.
University of Idaho Extension