Fire Risk Planning: Essential Considerations for Livestock Farms

In the face of climate change, livestock farmers are increasingly focusing on farm resilience and feed security. However, they must also prepare for the rising threat of wildfires, which pose significant risks to their operations. As weather patterns shift towards prolonged dry and sunny conditions, exacerbated by farm management practices that generate more dry vegetation, wildfires have become a growing concern.

In 2025 alone, the UK experienced 114 wildfire incidents, a marked increase from just 76 in 2012, according to the Global Wildfire Information System. The National Farmers’ Union Mutual reported arson as a leading cause of fire-related insurance claims on farms, alongside electrical faults and lightning strikes. This alarming trend underscores the importance of proactive fire planning for livestock farmers.

Jim Green, an expert with the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association (BARTA), emphasizes that farmers cannot afford to overlook fire risk planning. “Arson remains a concern, but climate change has intensified conditions in unprecedented ways,” he notes. Training veterinarians and other professionals in handling large animals during emergencies, Jim warns of the potential for wildfires to affect multiple livestock farms simultaneously, complicating evacuation efforts due to strained local resources.

The cornerstone of effective fire emergency planning on farms is prioritizing not only human safety but also that of animals. Livestock cannot evacuate themselves; thus, farmers must devise controlled evacuation plans. These should include predetermined safe routes and procedures for moving large numbers of animals calmly, avoiding chaos in evacuation scenarios such as a fire breaking out during milking.

A comprehensive fire risk appraisal and plan is essential. Farmers are advised to work with their insurers to arrange assessments by fire risk experts, who can help develop detailed plans covering hazards, at-risk personnel, training, evacuation strategies, and business continuity measures.

Community collaboration plays a critical role in enhancing fire preparedness. Jim Green advocates for the inclusion of animal welfare considerations in local emergency planning and the creation of a community asset register. This register would list contacts like veterinarians, livestock hauliers, and markets to facilitate coordinated responses during emergencies.

Farmers should also engage with local fire services to familiarize them with their specific farm challenges. Providing detailed maps and information about potential hazards can aid firefighters in prioritizing human safety while managing animal-related risks effectively.

Post-fire scenarios present additional challenges such as mental health impacts, restocking, and biosecurity concerns. Smoke contamination necessitates careful decontamination procedures for animals, highlighting the need for veterinary involvement in post-fire assessments to address trauma and smoke inhalation issues.

Prevention is equally crucial; farmers should identify potential fire hazards on their properties and implement measures to mitigate these risks. This includes maintaining updated electrical systems, avoiding the storage of flammable materials near livestock areas, and creating fire breaks to control fire spread.

By integrating comprehensive fire risk assessments and prevention strategies into their operations, livestock farmers can better protect their livelihoods and support their communities in the face of increasing wildfire threats.

For more detailed guidance on fire safety and planning, resources such as the Gov.uk Fire Safety Risk Assessment: 5-Step Checklist and NFU updates on building fire regulations are recommended. Additionally, services like Tribune offer valuable market insights to aid informed decision-making for livestock producers.

原始文章来源：Farmers Weekly - Fire risk planning - what to consider on a livestock farm