Courtesy of: Canada’s Farm Animal Councils www.livestockwelfare.com

The vast majority of barn fires occur late at night or early morning hours,often going undetected until flames are showing. Due to the locations of barns, by the time the fire department arrives, the barn is quite often fully involved. Adding to the challenge of a barn fire is that many of these structures house animals. Depending on the type of animal and barn design, some animals can be quickly removed, while others are impossible to evacuate.

Fire departments in areas with barns should hold barn fire education nights for farmers and livestock-related facility owners.Barn owners should invite members of the local fire department out to tour their facilities and barns to become aware of the location of hazards and water sources, and provide them with information about the animals on their farm and the design of the barns.

Top 5 things you need to know about Barn Fires and Farm Animals

1. AT NO TIME SHOULD A FIRE FIGHTER OR ANYONE ELSE PUT THEIR OWN PERSONAL SAFETY IN JEOPARDY TO SAVE AN ANIMAL FROM A BARN FIRE.

2. It only takes 3 to 4 minutes of the fire starting for the barn to be filled with smoke. A barn will be completely engulfed in less than 6 minutes.

3. Panicked animals normally will not just leave a barn on their own as they do not fear fire.

4. Most animals are killed from smoke inhalation; those who do survive rarely recover.

5. The vast majority of barn fires are preventable!