Summer has officially begun, the kids are out of school and many of you are gearing up for your summer vacations; but are you also readying yourself for what may be one of the worst fire seasons since the 1980’s?  California is experiencing close to drought conditions throughout the state and moisture is in short supply; a survey in May of the snow pack in the Tahoe area found it to be 29% of normal levels – the lowest since 1988.  Southern California isn’t fairing any better; the National Weather Service has issued a “red flag” warning for all of southern California because of the high level of fire danger.  In recent months, the area has only had three inches of rain; as compared with fifteen inches in normal years. 

As of June 28^th, on the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection website, there are three major fires that continue to burn throughout the state.  The “Goldledge Fire” in Tulare County started June 3^rd and is finally 96% contained – 4,196 acres have burned and the fire came within 10 miles north of Kernville.  The “White Fire” of Kern County began on June 24^th and is only 60% contained.  High winds and low moisture to the area have fueled the fire; which has already burned 11,400 acres!  The fire has already cost the state of California 3.5 billion dollars in four days!  The most highly publicized fire has been the “Angora Fire” of El Dorado County; west of South Lake Tahoe.  This fire also began on June 24^th and is approximately 55% contained; however high winds and tinder-dry conditions are also huge factors in fighting this fire.  Over 3,100 acres have burned, over 300 residences/commercial structures have been destroyed and over 1,000 more are in danger.  In only four days this fire has cost the state of California 5.7 million dollars; and counting! 

On June 25^th, a lot closer to home, a grass fire broke out in the undeveloped Stanford University property known as “the dish”; near Junipero Sierra and Frenchmans Road.  More than 100 firefighters from multiple South Bay agencies fought the fast moving flames from both the ground and the air; keeping the flames from enclosing around nearby homes and equestrian facilities.  Fortunately no one was hurt in the wildfire and no structures were destroyed; but 128 acres of 2 foot high dry brush and trees were burned.  This fire was too close for comfort and got me to thinking about what measures we can all take when it comes to preventing and preparing for a fire.

Prevention is the number one key; taking action to reduce the chance and spread of fire to your property is the most important step you can take to ensure the safety of your family, animals, home and barn.  These important steps should also be carried out and recommended to any horse facilities you may be boarding at.  Creating a fire break of at least 100 feet between your home/barn and flammable vegetation/materials is necessary in defending any fire.  Keep grass and weeds mowed; this is a huge fuel source.  Store hay, bedding and equipment in a separate section of the barn; or better yet, in its own building or location.  Keep the barn clean and free of cobwebs and dust; these are easily combustible and make excellent fuel sources.  Be sure to keep all shrub and tree limbs free from contacting any electrical wires or hanging over your chimney.  Keep your roof surfaces and rain gutters clear of any pine needles, leaves and debris at all times.  Stack firewood away from your home and other buildings.  Store combustible and flammable materials in approved containers.  Keep all smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in good operating condition.  Post “No Smoking” signs around the property and strictly enforce this policy.  Remember, trucks bringing in hay and bedding materials have been known to ignite the product they are hauling from the truck’s hot exhaust and catalytic converters.  Frequently inspect electrical wiring, circuit panels and outlets for repair needs – note exposed wires, overloaded circuits, light fixtures and plug outlets problems, etc. All wiring and electrical equipment should be rated for agricultural use when used for livestock.  Fortunately, much of fire protection involves taking simple common sense fire prevention measures.

Protecting a barn from the dangers of fire is much more difficult because of the environment of the barn and the housing requirements of the horses that live in them.  Unfortunately there is no such thing as a fireproof building, especially in regards to  agricultural settings, but there are ways to minimize the risk of fires when it comes to building and maintaining barns.  Estimates show that 95% of all unintentional barn fires arise from human carelessness when using or discarding smoking materials and faulty electrical systems.  Surprisingly enough, baled hay can be its own fuel and ignition source!  Most hay fires will occur within six weeks of baling the hay – the cause: excessive moisture trapped in the bale.  How does this moisture cause the bale to ignite into flames, you might ask – well, let me explain.  Even after hay is harvested, plant respiration continues and this process generates a small amount of heat.  This type of heat is normal and, under regular moisture conditions (15-18% moisture level), this is generally not a problem.  If the moisture levels in the hay are too high and the hay is baled when it is wet, this respiratory heat will provide an environment that is highly favorable for certain microorganisms to grow and multiply.  Another heat cycle is generated by the respiratory byproduct of these microorganisms, but as these microorganisms begin to die the internal temperature of the bale generally decreases.  Occasionally though this internal temperature does not cool after the first heating cycle and the interior bale temperature continues to rise; eventually igniting.  Newly baled hay should be checked twice a day for heat buildup; this can be done with a special temperature probe available at farm supply companies (cost $12-$20).  If the interior bale temperature reaches 150 degrees F, the temperature is most likely to continue to rise.  By the time the interior bale temperature reaches 200 degrees F a fire has already begun; although it may not even be visible yet!  Many of you may not know, but the best way to store hay bales is on their side; with the stems of the cut hay running up and down.  This allows warm moist air to flow up and out of the bale.

Stable and barn design is very important too when preparing to fight a fire and when planning for the possible need of evacuating people and livestock.  Be sure your facility is easily accessible for emergency vehicles; some entry gates or lanes are not wide enough for the fire department to enter or maneuver their vehicles.  Make sure your property address is well marked and highly visible.  When designing your stalls, it is important to provide two exit routes for the horse to escape.  Make sure all exit doors swing outward; frantic horses will often catch a hip on half-open doors.  Have halters and lead ropes easily accessible at every stall door.  Be sure to keep all exits clear and unblocked. Having multiple fire hydrants with adequate water volume and pressure is critical in aiding fire suppression.  Remember, additional water sources, like ponds and swimming pools, can also be used in fighting a fire.  Have at least one charged and mounted “ABC” type fire extinguisher every 50 feet – this type of extinguisher is designed to fight ordinary combustibles (wood and paper), flammable liquids (grease and gasoline) and electrically energized fires.  Practice fire drills and post evacuation routes  – a plan of action may be your best defenses in saving lives and property.  Post emergency numbers, written directions to the facility and any other important information that will aid emergency operators in dispatching emergency responders – this will aid in a prompt response time by those coming to help.

When dealing with a fire, there are four things to remember.  First and foremost, remain calm!  A panic reaction will only create situations that will endanger lives and property.  Secondly, survey the scene.  If it is not safe you must get out – do not try and be a hero!  Surveying the scene of a fire should only take a second, but it is the single most important step in ensuring everyone’s safety.  Always send the most qualified person in to do the task, otherwise they can cause greater dangers and put everyone at risk.  Always be alert to hidden dangers – for example, if smoke is seen or smelled in hay do not move it or walk on it; disturbing the hay may expose it to oxygen and it will quickly flash!  Third, call 9-1-1 and ask for help.  Regardless of the size of the fire, the potential risk of fire, or even if the fire was contained without professional help, it is imperative to immediately enlist the help of trained, certified and experienced firefighters.  This is the only way to ensure the safety of all involved.  Fourth and last, is the evacuation.  If time permits, get the horses/livestock out and into a safe location; preferably an enclosed pasture far from the fire, smoke and embers.  If there is only time for someone to run down the barn alley and open the stall latches, it is possible for a horse to push open their door and escape on their own.  If the stall doors slide open, instead of swing, the same principle can be applied by having someone unlatch and slide each stall door to aid in evacuation.  It is important to remember that even the most “bomb proof” horse will become distressed during a fire.  Loose horses pose a problem for all involved – many horses will even run back into a burning barn, so it is imperative to prevent this!  We need to remember that the stall, for a horse, is a place of refuge; it is where they are fed and where their stable mates are.  Horses should be escorted out with their eyes covered – this helps decrease their anxiety – this drill should also be practiced to get your horse accustom to walking blind folded.  Following all of these principles will increase your success rate in dealing with a fire 

It is important to realize that fires can grow quickly and without warning.  Barn fires can happen during all seasons and from a variety of different sources.  Protecting a barn is not the same as fire protecting a home.  We need to remember that most stalled horses are standing on dry bedding material that is highly flammable and that this material will only help fuel the fire.  The speed of the rescue is of  major importance, but even more importantly is preventing the fire to begin with. Enlist your friends and neighbors to take the same fire prevention steps to their property – together we can make a difference in decreasing the likelihood of a fire or its devastating effect. 

Happy Trails,
Sarah Filice
President SMCHA