Recent events like the Pickett Fire, the Garnet Fire, and the Dillon Fire have devastated agricultural operations across California.
Preparedness couldn’t be more important, especially when lives and livelihoods are at stake. That’s why every grower should have a farm-specific emergency plan that includes evacuation routes, crop and livestock protections, vegetation management, and structure hardening. If you’re looking to protect your growing operation from a potential wildfire, here are some helpful tips.
- Apply for the Livestock Agricultural Pass Program in your specific county. In the event of a natural disaster, this pass will allow you to access your property and handle important agricultural activities, such as tending to your crops or animals.
- Identify safe zones where your livestock, farm equipment, and bee hives can be temporarily relocated during a wildfire. These safe zones can include irrigated pastures, bare fields, fire breaks, or any other place where flames are unlikely to reach.
- Create defensible spaces by removing any flammable vegetation near your structures, including fences, buildings, hoops, poly tunnels, and storage containers. If you’re looking to build new structures, use fire-resistant materials.
- Consider the use of grazing animals in your pastures, to help manage vegetation height and reduce potential fuel loads.
- Ensure that all your hay is dry before you store it, to prevent spontaneous combustion.
- Pay attention to your pruning strategies and ground cover. Vines, orchards, and row crops can either act as a fire break or a fire hazard, depending on what you’re growing. For crops like avocados, which are densely planted, consider creating blocks that are separated by roads. These can serve as fire breaks.
- Label your water sources with reflective signs, including ponds, tanks, wells, and troughs. Indicate if you have a pump for firefighter use
As always, visit one of our supply stores to talk with a specialist about fireproofing your growing operation. We’re not only here to help you grow; we’re here to keep you safe, too.