How to Prepare for a Bush Fire

How to Prepare for a Bush Fire

Living in Australia during the summertime does present the high chance of bush fires. There is quite a lot you can do in advance to help make sure that in the event of a bush fire near you or your horses, everyone has the best chance of staying safe.  

As with your regular bush fire plans, preparation is key!  

• Bush fire safety plan – Include your horses (all your animals) in your bush fire safety plan. Know whether you plan to stay or evacuate in a variety a possible situations. Make you’re your family are aware of what you have planned well in advance. Have an emergency backup person to help you or that can evacuate in your absence. Have important information handy including property PIC number, vet contact, identification papers (microchip number, brands or photos) of your horse and emergency services phone numbers. 

• Evacuation – If you do decide you will evacuate, leave well in advance to avoid entering a period where it is too dangerous to leave. A good idea is to pick the alert level at which you will go. Make arrangements in advance as to where you will go i.e. the local show ground, sale yards, racetrack or friends/family. Consult your local DPI for assistance in emergency livestock evacuation sites in your region. 

• Paddocks – Always keep paddocks well maintained whether you are staying or leaving (you may in a serious situation not get the chance to leave). Keep paddocks mowed/slashed to reduce vegetation, create fire breaks around fence lines. Make sure there is a good water supply, if possible put you horses in the largest paddock that is safe and available, the bigger the better if fire is approaching, or leave internal gates open to allow horses to move freely. If you have the ability invest in a fire fighting pump and a rainwater tank do so, if you are on town water, the supply might be cut during a fire. Also secure hoses and fittings at all available taps.  

• Floating Practice – Make sure all your horses are educated and good to float. The last thing you want during an emergency is a horse that won’t load. Making sure your float and or truck is well maintained and ready to go at a moment’s notice is also a good idea. 

• Emergency kits – Have a well-stocked emergency kit, include things such as a torch, radio, wire cutters, extra head collar, towels, water bucket and a first aid kit including electrolytes. Pack enough feed for at least 3 days.  

If a fire is approaching and you have made the decision to stay, don’t take fire fighters for granted.  

• Monitor conditions – remain calm, monitor the forecast and weather changes, communicate with family and cooperate with authorities.  

• Remove all rugs, synthetic headcollars, bandages and fly masks from your horses. If you do need to use a headcollar try and only use a leather one with a cotton lead which will not melt like plastic/synthetic ones and beware of medal fittings as they will get hot.  

• Do not lock horses in stables or small yards, a horse’s instinct is to run, and they may injure themselves if locked in a confined space, not to mention the structure itself may catch fine.  

• You can write your phone number or PIC number on your horse with specially made grease crayons for marking livestock in case your horse does get lose. Make sure all external gates are closed so your horses can’t get out on the roads for everyone’s safety.  

• Water/feed – If you do have to leave your horses make sure they have enough feed and water for several days in case you can’t get back into your property for a few days.  

Once the fire has passed and you can go and check your horses 

• Call the vet immediately if your horse has suffered any burns or other injuries and apply first aid whilst waiting for help. 

• Check for hot spots in the paddock before returning your horse to their paddock, hooves and legs can still get burnt after the fire has passed if there are areas still smoldering. 

• Look out for partially burned structures or trees. They may be at risk of falling or obscuring the paddock. 

• Clean and provide fresh water in case of contamination, and good roughage if pasture has been burnt out. 

• Make sure the fencing hasn’t been damaged. 

If you keep your horse on agistment having a good conversation with the property owner about fire emergency plans is a good idea, it will help you make important decisions when needed. All the same preparation is required whether you agist or own your property.